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Book. .H 

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GOnOUGUT DEPOSIT. 






















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The Redemption of 
Black Rock Ranch 

CLYDE W. HIGHTOWER 










I 

The Redemption of 
Black Rock Ranch 

By CLYDE W. HIGHTOWER 'l 



DORRANCE & COMPANY 

Publishers Philadelphia 


COPYRIGHT 

1924 

DORRANCE A COMPANY INC 




Manufacture* ia the Unit** team *f An*ri« 


MAR 26 ’24 


C1A777704 




-l/ 


The Redemption of 
Black Rock Ranch 


CONTENTS 


CHAPTER PAGE 

I The Homecoming of the 91st. 9 

II An Ideal Home. 15 

III Lundgren Accepts a Position. 21 

IV An Unexpected Reminder of the Past. 25 

V Helen’s Story. 34 

VI Lundgren’s Traveling Companion ... 39 

VII Valuable Information. 44 

VIII Arrival at Black Rock. 52 

IX An Unusual Introduction. 59 

X Lundgren Sends an S. O. S. Call_ 63 

XI An Early Morning Walk. 68 

XII Joe As An Ally. 78 

XIII On the Job. 90 

XIV Lundgren Rides Ginger, the Outlaw .. 98 

XV The Secret Meeting. 104 

XVI The S. O. S. Call Answered. 108 

XVII Ruby Is Given Protection. 113 

XVIII An Encounter . 120 

XIX Love’s Confession. 127 

XX The Fight. 135 

XXI Plotting. 144 

XXII Shot from Ambush. 151 

XXIII Reconnoitering. 161 

XXIV Setting a Trap. 167 

XXV A Race for Life. 175 

XXVI The Night Ride. 183 

XXVII A Lovely Patient. 192 

XXVIII Ruby Comes Into Her Own. 198 

XXIX The Honeymoon. 201 



























4 







The Redemption of Black 
Rock Ranch 

I 

The Homecoming of the 91ST 

To give you the story of a hero of everyday life, 
we will go back to a beautiful morning in late Spring, 
in the year 1918 , such a morning as only the Golden 
West can boast. Had you been standing at the 
entrance to the Arcade railway station in a great 
Western city as the sun rose over old Mt. San Antonio, 
casting his reflection on Mt. Wilson Observatory, you 
would have beheld one of the most beautiful sights 
ever viewed by man. On this particular morning, 
scores of persons had congregated on the station plat¬ 
form, not however to get a view of “Old Baldy” in 
his gorgeous robes, but all with an expectant, though 
far-away look in their eyes. 

Here were gathered the peoples of many nation¬ 
alities. While the majority spoke the English tongue, 
there were heard, also, conversations in French, 
Italian and many dialects. Nearly all were talking 
earnestly, some were laughing, while others were in 
tears. 

A grizzled stranger, coming in from a distant min¬ 
ing camp, approaching the crowd, inquired as to 
the cause of all this excitement, when a colored youth 
9 


10 


BLACK ROCK RANCH 


looked at the questioner with scorn as he replied, 
“Didn’t you-all know that the 91 st Regiment of over¬ 
seas boys is due here in another hour?” 

While all this was going on, there was a restless 
anxiety throughout the troop train. Nearing home! 
The dreams of weary months over there were about to 
come true. They were coming home different boys 
from those who went out so willingly to help right the 
wrongs of cruel warfare, not knowing what was be¬ 
fore them. They seemed years older now. They knew 
what discipline meant, they knew the horrors of war, 
they had the satisfaction of having done their duty, 
and what else mattered now! Soon they were to 
look again upon the faces of father, mother, sister or 
sweetheart—or was it a reality? Could it be that they 
might waken and find only the “dream faces” as had 
so often been their experience? 

In one of the forward coaches, in the rear seat, were 
two young men, one about twenty-two, the other 
perhaps twenty-eight years of age. They were en¬ 
gaged in very earnest conversation, the older with his 
arm protectingly about his companion, as a father 
caring for his son. He had brown hair and kindly 
blue eyes, was more than six feet in height, and when 
standing or walking, held his body always in an erect 
position. He was of well-developed muscle, alert, 
quick in action, and was called by his comrades “the 
fighting devil.” In camp, however, he was known as 
“the shepherd of the flock.” To the officers he was 
Morton Lundgren. Further than this nothing was 
known of him, for he never referred to his past, save 
that he had enlisted in the State of Texas. The 
younger man, in his emaciated body and drawn face, 


HOMECOMING OF THE 91ST 


11 


showed unmistakable traces of suffering. Beads of 
perspiration stood out on his forehead. 

“I reckon you-all will soon be home, now, Buddy, 

and before long will be getting fat on Mother’s cook- 
• _ » 
ing. 

Charles Hammond looked up into Lundgren’s face 
with a smile as he replied with emotion, “Yes, Morton, 
and I have been wondering how I can ever repay you 
for what you have done for me. If you hadn’t risked 
your life to save mine, I would now be sleeping in 
France with the boys who will never come back. As 
soon as we are mustered out you must come out to 
our home and have a long rest and visit with us, that 
Father and Mother may have an opportunity to show 
their appreciation of what you have been to me. And 
there’s another, a little girl who will want to thank 
you, too.” 

Lundgren seldom smiled, but when he did, you 
knew that behind that smile was a true, a noble man, 
who used no deception, a man of passion, a man who 
would fight for the right, not only for his own rights, 
but just as quickly for the rights of others. When 
Charles had finished speaking, Lundgren favored him 
with one of those rare smiles as he said, “Now, Buddy, 
I want you-all to can that talk about my saving your 
life. That was just plain duty. I just happened to be 
the nearest pal. But here we are, get ready now to 
meet Father and Mother, and I promise you I’ll try to 
take advantage of your invitation to come next week to 
say good-bye. But let me have that baggage.” 

George Hammond, a keen business man, was Presi¬ 
dent of the Fairview National Bank, and an extensive 
grower of citrus fruits. He was an active church 


12 


BLACK ROCK RANCH 


member and had few enemies. His advice was sought 
on many different subjects. It was said he had no 
hobbies. He had a son, his heart’s idol, yet with 
paternal pride he saw him enlist for service when his 
country needed him. However, when the day came to 
give him up for trench warfare, it was almost more 
than the fond father-heart could endure. On the 
evening before the long-looked-for day that would be 
the homecoming of the valiant 91 st, Mrs. Hammond 
said, “George, perhaps you would better drive the 
big car tomorrow. Charlie may have some friends 
who will have no relatives to meet them, whom he 
will like to bring out home with him for the day.” 

The men had been told they were given leave of 
absence until 10 P. M., when they were to entrain 
again to proceed to the mustering out station. The 
troop train had come to a standstill and Charles Ham¬ 
mond, supported by the strong arm of his companion, 
was working his way through the throng, when sud¬ 
denly he exclaimed gleefully, as he pointed toward the 
right, “Look over there by the curb! That’s Father 
standing in front of that Winton Six, and Mother’s sit¬ 
ting in the car!” 

“I reckon you-all would like to get over there pretty 
quick, but go slow, Buddy, and don’t let yourself get 
run over by some of these swift-moving vehicles.” 
Charles had rushed ahead of his companion and was 
crossing the street as fast as his weak limbs could 
carry him, without any thought of danger in the 
crowded thoroughfare. When in the middle of the 
street, his mother espied him and screamed, “Oh, 
Father, there is Charlie, and he is going to be run 
down by that auto,” but Lundgren pulled Charles out 


HOMECOMING OF THE 91ST 


13 


of danger. Still holding his arm, Morton led him to 
his anxious parents. The mother holding him in 
tender embrace, while tears rained down her face, 
sobbed out, “Oh, my boy, my precious boy, I thought 
I was going to see you crushed under that machine.” 
After the affectionate greetings between parents and 
son, Charles with gratitude shining in his face said, 
“Father and Mother, I want you to meet the bravest 
and best man in Co. C. 91 st Division, Mr. Morton 
Lundgren.” Grasping with both his hands the out¬ 
stretched hand of Lundgren, Mr. Hammond spoke 
warmly, “I am certainly glad to meet you face to face, 
Mr. Lundgren. Charles has so often spoken of you 
in his letters.” And Mrs. Hammond, extending her 
hand said, “Oh, I want to thank you for saving 
Charlie’s life just now, after all you had done for him 
before.” 

“Please don’t, Mrs. Hammond, anyone could have 
done the same. I just happened to be there.” 

“But,” continued she, “we owe you such a great 
debt of gratitude and we want you to come out home 
with us, and Mr. Hammond will bring you back in 
time for your train out tonight.” 

“I am mighty sorry, Mrs. Hammond, but that will 
be impossible today, for I have some business matters 
to look after, but I have promised your son to run 
out some time next week, and make a little visit.” 

“Sorry we cannot have your company,” said Mr. 
Hammond, but we will have to be going, for I have an 
appointment for three o’clock. We will expect to see 
you next week.” And with hearty handshakes, and 
waving goodbyes, the reunited family drove away, 


14 


BLACK ROCK RANCH 


leaving Lundgren standing at the curb looking long¬ 
ingly after the machine until it was out of sight. 

“Alone, all alone,” he said half audibly. Then he 
continued, musingly, “It's hard to be alone in a big 
city with no friends. I’d far rather be back in Texas 
riding the range if it wasn’t for one thing. I might 
see her, and I sure couldn’t stand that.” While still 
in that pensive mood he cast his eyes to the northeast, 
and for the first time beheld the mountain that had in 
that early morning been a scene of such gorgeous 
splendor. For a time his eye continued to rest there, 
then taking a last look he said “Old mountain, you 
have given me strength. I, like you, must stand 
alone to fight the battles of life. Alone, no not alone, 
but with the help of God.” Then turning down the 
street, with long, easy strides, he went in the direction 
of the business section, attracting the eyes of those 
he met, by his erect figure and manly bearing. A 
young lady was heard to remark to her companion, 
“If I ever marry, I want my husband to look like that 
young man.” 

It is needless to follow the soldier boys to Camp 
Kearney; suffice it to say, that for the next three or 
four days they were being mustered out of service. 
Within a week many of them had returned to their old 
positions in bank, shop or store, looking happy, yet 
much more serious of face and manner than when they 
left home those months ago, which seem now like so 
many years. 


II 


An Ideal Home 

The Hammond orchard-home was as lovely a spot 
as one could ever hope to see. Nestled against the 
foot-hills, where to the south one had a splendid view 
of the town below, and from the upper veranda, when 
the sky was perfectly clear, a sight of old ocean 
twenty miles away. Mr. Hammond had once re¬ 
marked to his wife, “The town makes a fine foot¬ 
stool for us. ,, The family loved to sit together on 
the veranda at evening and see the lights come on 
one by one and also watch the myriad twinkling in- 
candescents of the metropolis, and of many smaller 
towns. It was at the close of a warm day, one week 
after Charles had been mustered out, and the three 
were in their accustomed place enjoying the cool, re¬ 
freshing sea breezes. The moon was just coming up 
over the mountains. They were a happy family once 
more. Mrs. Hammond was sitting with her hand in 
that of her son’s, as she told him of the changes that 
had taken place during his absence, then the conversa¬ 
tion died out, and each seemed content to sit in quiet 
meditation for a time. Lighting a fresh cigar Mr. 
Hammond turning to his son said, “Charles, what 
have you made up your mind to do, after you are 
strong again?” 

With a little hesitation, Charles began, “Father, I 
don’t want to go back in the bank. I feel as though 
15 


16 


BLACK ROCK RANCH 


I couldn’t breathe shut up in a stuffy office all day, and 
if you’d let me take care of one of your ranches for 
a year, I think I’d like that better. That would be 
satisfactory to Helen, and if you are willing we will be 
married soon and live on the ranch.” 

Mrs. Hammond with a little start exclaimed, 
“Oh, am I to lose my son so soon?” 

“No, Mother,” replied Charles, “you will gain a 
daughter.” 

Mr. Hammond, reaching out his hand, placed it on 
the young man’s shoulder, and said, “I am glad of 
your decision, my boy. You are not so strong as 
your father, and there is nothing like the great out¬ 
doors to keep you feeling fit. I will divide this home 
place and give you and Helen the east twenty for a 
wedding present. You may take the management of 
the other properties, then I can devote all my time to 
the interests of the bank. By the way, what has be¬ 
come of your friend, Lundgren? Wasn’t he to visit 
us soon?” 

“I have been thinking of him this evening, too. He 
is a strange fellow,” said Charles. “In all our conver¬ 
sations together he has never told anything of himself. 
He is keeping something back, but I can’t make out 
what it is. I’ll swear, though, it’s nothing criminal, 
for it isn’t in that fellow to be mean. So often he has 
said to me, ‘Buddy, it pays to be decent.’ He loves 
nature, and I am sure he has spent most of his life out 
in the open. He lived in Texas, and is a great lover of 
horses. Once when I asked him if he could rope 
cattle, he said he had got so he could throw the rope 
over a cow if she stood still. Some time later four of 
us were sent out on a scouting expedition and were 


AN IDEAL HOME 


17 


crossing a river, when one of the boys got out where 
the water was too deep to wade, and not knowing 
how to swim, he would have drowned if Lundgren 
hadn’t taken a rope and thrown it over the fellow’s 
shoulders as he was coming up for the last time. Why, 
he could rope any cow. No doubt he is well educated, 
for at times, in an unguarded moment he would ex¬ 
press himself in the very best English, then suddenly 
drop back into the vernacular of the South.” 

At this point in the conversation there was a ring 
of the door-bell, which Mrs. Hammond immediately 
answered. They heard her saying cordially, “Come 
right in, Mr. Lundgren, we had been wondering if 
you had forgotten your promise to us.” 

“No, indeed, Mrs. Hammond,” he replied; “business 
detained me in the city much longer than I expected. 
Then I made all possible haste to keep my appointment 
with you.” 

Mr. Hammond had been listening to the conversa¬ 
tion with keenest interest, saying to himself, “The boy 
is right. He is educated, but not an educated fool.” 

Mrs. Hammond called out to them, “Father, 
Charlie, come see who is here.” Hastily entering the 
room, each of the men grabbed a hand. “This is a 
great pleasure to see you again, my boy—” Here 
Charles broke in upon what his father was saying, 
with, “Why, Morton, I would hardly have recognized 
you in citizens’ clothes. You look so changed. You 
would pass for most any kind of a business or profes¬ 
sional man, now.” 

“Well, Buddy, that shows how easily looks can de¬ 
ceive, for I am neither. But I'm glad to see those 


18 


BLACK ROCK RANCH 


hollow cheeks filling out. Mother’s cooking is sure 
doing the work. Just what the doctor ordered.” 

“Yes,” answered Charles, “I do feel much stronger 
already; but say, fellow, you must be hungry, and 
Mother always has something for a hungry man.” 

“Nothing doing, Buddy; just before leaving the city 
I dropped into a restaurant and got my feet tangled up 
in the table legs.” 

Mr. Hammond then said, “If we can’t persuade Mr. 
Lundgren to eat, then let’s go out on the porch and 
sit where it is cool.” When they had been seated com¬ 
fortably, Lundgren, turning to his host, said, “A 
beautiful place you have here, Mr. Hammond. I 
reckon it’s about the most beautiful place I have ever 
seen. I can’t think I’d ever like it so well down there 
in the valley with all those orange trees around me, 
it would be so hard to see out.” 

“Perhaps, though,” remarked Mrs. Hammond, after 
you have had a week or two here to look around, 
you might decide to make this your home.” 

“No, Mrs. Hammond, I shall be leaving by day 
after tomorrow.” 

“Day after tomorrow I” exclaimed Charles with 
much warmth of feeling. “Do you think I’ll let you 
go so soon? I want you for a month, at least.” 

“No, Buddy, I’ll have to hit the trail by Friday. Mr. 
Hammond, it seems to me this state is nearly all set 
to fruit, is it not?” 

“Yes, with the exception of the eastern and ex¬ 
treme northern parts. California is a large state, and 
offers a great variety of climate and altitude. Almost 
every known fruit or food product can be grown some¬ 
where within its borders. Some of us old-timers find 


AN IDEAL HOME 


19 


it hard to realize the wonderful opportunities and 
possibilities, commercially speaking, in this state with 
its two large cities, Los Angeles and San Francisco. 
The manufacturing plants that are being attracted 
here, the wonderful increase in population, to care 
for which means that the rancher, the fruit grower, 
the stock-raiser, all will be able to dispose of their 
products at good prices/’ After a brief pause he con¬ 
tinued, “There is one valley, which I visited last sum¬ 
mer wdiile on a vacation trip, that remains very much 
the same as it must have been forty years ago. It is 
what might be called the Settlement of the Forty- 
niners. Within the last year or so, however, men of 
means have invested there, having found it to be one 
of the most fertile valleys in the state. I have never 
seen such alfalfa anywhere. Some fields that have 
been seeded for the last twenty-five years are still in 
prime condition. 

“There is a wonderful cattle range easily accessible. 
And by the way, I have a friend, Mr. Winterton, 
cashier of the bank, who has large holdings in this 
valley, twelve hundred acres in one block which is 
being set to alfalfa. He has also another large tract 
for grazing land in Long Valley, a mountain table¬ 
land with an abundance of grass and water for the 
summer. The stock is brought down to the alfalfa 
ranch for the winter. He has got only well started in 
the way of improvements, but when his present plans 
have all been carried out it will with proper manage¬ 
ment be a paying investment. I wish you might 
meet Mr. Winterton and have a talk with him, as he 
knows so much more about that country than I do; 
for he has investigated conditions there very thorough- 


20 


BLACK ROCK RANCH 


ly. He tells me he has been having some labor troubles 
there—it seems that cattle-rustlers have been getting 
in their work and thinning out his cattle somewhat.” 

“And where is this place located?” 

“It lies along the eastern side of the Sierras. Mt. 
Whitney stands guard over the entrance to the val¬ 
ley—” Just at this point a voice called out, “Father, 
do you realize the lateness of the hour? I fear you 
will need some sleep.” 

“You are right, Mother, I seem to have forgotten 
myself. Mr. Lundgren, I will show you to your room 
now, and you may sleep just as late as you wish. I 
fear I have kept you up longer than I should.” 

After Morton had said good night to his host, 
he sat for a long time beside the bed as though 
lost in deep thought. Finally, casting his eyes heaven¬ 
ward, he remembered the words of the Psalmist, “The 
heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament 
showeth His handiwork.” 

Then half aloud he said, “That is sure true. If the 
Almighty didn’t have these wonderful sights to show 
to such fellows as I there would be more doubters 
than there are now.” In a few minutes he had retired 
and had soon fallen into a sound sleep, such a sleep as 
that only of the man of healthy body and dear con¬ 
science. 


Ill 


Lundgren Accepts a Position 

Precisely at fifteen minutes to eight, George Ham¬ 
mond, as was his daily custom, took a pass-key from 
his pocket, unlocked a side door of the Fairview 
National Bank, stepped inside, turning the lock after 
him. 

“What! Here so early, Winterton? Why that 
frown? What seems to be the trouble?” 

“Trouble enough,” was the reply. “I had a letter 
in this morning’s mail from my ranch, with the in¬ 
formation that fifty head of cattle had just disap¬ 
peared. That makes three hundred in the last year. 
Something has to be done. I am being robbed in more 
ways than one. I don’t trust my foreman, and I am 
beginning to believe that the stealing is being done by 
men on the ranch, or at least the leader in this 
nefarious business is drawing pay from me as a 
laborer on the ranch.” 

“Who is your foreman?” asked Mr. Hammond. 

“His name is Sam Young. I don’t know much 
about him. He held that position when I bought the 
place a year and a half ago. I haven’t been satisfied, 
but just kept him there as I had no one else to put in 
his place. He seems to know his business, but I would 
like a man who could look you in the eye, and you 
would know he was not lying to you. If I could only 
find a man like that.” Turning his face toward the 
21 


22 


BLACK ROCK RANCH 


window he inquired, “Who is the stranger going tip 
the street with Charles?” 

“That is Lundgren,” replied Mr. Hammond, “the 
fellow who saved Charlie’s life. I had never known 
just how that was until they came back. Charlie had 
volunteered to carry a message to the front-line 
trenches. He had almost reached his destination when 
he was struck by a bullet. Lundgren saw him fall and 
went after him and carried him back. They all thought 
it would mean certain death, and how he ever did it 
was a wonder to every one. Lundgren won’t allow us 
to speak of it. Someone at the door, Winterton, 
will you see what is wanted?” As the door swung 
open, Charles and his friend entered. “Good morning, 
Mr. Winterton, this is my friend, Mr. Lundgren.” 

“Mr. Hammond has just been speaking of you, 
said Mr. Winterton. 

Mr. Hammond soon came over to join the group 
and said, “Mr. Winterton, this young man is very 
much interested in your ranch proposition. I was 
telling him something of Sierra Valley last evening, 
and of your ranch and how you have been losing your 
cattle and so on.” 

“The valley is very productive,” said Mr. Winter- 
ton, “we raise the heaviest tonnage per acre of any 
place in the United States. Healthy climate, plenty 
of water, hunting and fishing the best in the state, and 
its mountains will in time become the greatest resort in 
the world. As to the ranch, I have been somewhat 
unfortunate ever since I bought it. First labor 
troubles, then cattle disappearing, then more labor 
trouble, until I hardly know what to do. If I could 
only get the right kind of man to go in there and take 


LUNDGREN ACCEPTS A POSITION 23 


charge, I would certainly feel relieved. Some one who 
could cope with the I. W. W. and find out who is steal¬ 
ing the cattle. I tell you, Mr. Lundgren, we have a 
hard bunch to deal with. Every fellow has his six- 
gun with him. There have been two ugly shooting 
scrapes the last year, and what I want is to have that 
crowd weeded out.” 

“And you-all want a man to go up there and take 
charge of that outfit?” 

“I certainly do,” was the emphatic reply. 

“Well now, I am looking for a job and might tackle 
something of that kind. I had a little experience on a 
five-thousand-acre cow ranch down in Texas.” 

“What other qualifications have you?” asked 
Winterton. 

“Not many. I rode a pony once that had done lots 
of bucking before he got too old to buck any more. 
Then again, I hung a rope over the entrance to a 
corral and drove a steer into it, and he got tangled up 
in the rope and I branded him. That’s about all the 
dope I can give you about myself; but in all my life 
I never betrayed a confidence,” and as he said this he 
looked straight into the eyes of Mr. Winterton, who 
felt he spoke the truth. 

“If I should decide to give you a try-out, when could 
you go to the ranch?” 

“Well, I reckon I might as well start tomorrow as 
any time.” 

“Very well, Mr. Lundgren, if we can agree on 
salary and so on, you may consider yourself in my 
employ as overseer.” 

“I reckon we can manage the salary question all 


24 


BLACK ROCK RANCH 


right, but if I go on your ranch as boss, I am going 
to boss with no handicaps.’' 

“But the troubles that exist on the ranch, that’s 
what I am sending you over to settle. It’s results I 
want, and you may get results in your own way. Re¬ 
port here at the bank at four o’clock and I will have 
ready for you a letter of introduction to the ranch 
foreman. I will write him that you are to assume 
full charge of everything. 


IV 


An Unexpected Reminder of the Past 

Promptly at the appointed hour Morton Lundgren 
walked into the bank for his final interview with Mr. 
Winterton. 

“Just step into my private office, and I will be 
with you in a few minutes. ,, 

He entered the office, and taking in the elegant fur¬ 
nishings at a sweeping glance, said to himself, “It’s all 
very fine for them that like it, but I—” But his ru¬ 
minations soon came to an end as Mr. Winterton came 
in and handing him a letter said, “This is for Young, 
the foreman, and here is another for Mrs. Horton, the 
landlady. Her husband is in poor health, and they had 
hoped that a change of climate might do him good, and 
as I was in need of a housekeeper I persuaded them to 
go to the ranch. I understand Mr. Horton is much im¬ 
proved. You will find them very congenial and they 
are persons who can be depended upon, for I have 
known them for years. They are the only persons at 
the ranch I can fully trust. There may be others who 
are all right, but as I told you this morning I have 
not been able to tell the wheat from the tares.” 

“Well,” remarked Lundgren, “I am very glad to 
know there are at least two there I can rely upon, so 
you see it might be worse. It just seems to me that 
my first job after getting to the ranch will be to find 
out which are sheep and which goats. It may take 
25 


26 


BLACK ROCK RANCH 


quite a spell to do that, but I reckon that when the 
round-up comes, we will have them all branded. 

“I have every confidence,” said Mr. Winterton, 
“that yon will handle the situation as it should be, and 
any time that I can be of service to you, let me know. 
I shall expect you to write me quite often.” 

Then they went into details concerning other mat¬ 
ters connected with the new work, including the sal¬ 
ary, after which Lundgren said, “I thank you, Mr. 
Winterton, for the honor you have conferred upon me 
when you intrusted to me this position with no more 
recommendation than I am able to give you, and I 
reckon you-all won’t be sorry. But I see Mr. Ham¬ 
mond is getting ready to leave and I want to see him 
before he goes.” 

“All right, Mr. Lundgren, I don’t want to detain 
you, but I will be glad to have you spend the night in 
our home.” 

“Thank you so much, Mr. Winterton, but I have 
promised Charlie to meet a girl friend of his at the 
Hammond home tonight and spend my last evening 
there. I will call tomorrow morning to get instruc¬ 
tions as to how to reach the ranch.” Then hurrying 
across the room, he called to Mr. Hammond who was 
just leaving, asking for a word with him if he had 
the time to stop for a few minutes. 

“Certainly,” was the reply, “let’s take these seats and 
be comfortable as we talk.” 

“As you know, Mr. Hammond, I am leaving to¬ 
morrow for the ranch, and I wish to make a little 
deposit with you,” and he handed him a draft for 
fifty thousand dollars drawn on a Texas State Bank. 
“I have had this money there for three years, but 


A REMINDER OF THE PAST 


27 


as I feel there is going to be a great stringency in 
money matters for a year or two, I think I would 
rather trust your bank. And I want to get a safety 
deposit box and leave the key with you. You will 
find my will and some other papers that I will want 
you to look after for me.” 

“I will do as you wish, Mr. Lundgren, but you sur¬ 
prise me when you make so large a deposit, and I 
thoroughly appreciate it I assure you. But why do you 
go out to work when it seems you have an income suf¬ 
ficient for your needs?” 

“Mr. Hammond, I just plumb got to work to be con¬ 
tented. I think a contented mind is more to be de¬ 
sired than great riches.” 

After having safely deposited the papers as re¬ 
quested, Mr. Hammond came back to where Lundgren 
was sitting, and said, “Come, now, let’s go home. 
Mrs. Hammond usually has an early dinner and we 
want to be there on time.” 

A few minutes’ drive brought them to the place and 
they saw Charles and Helen standing together in the 
porch. “A very pretty picture they make,” said 
Morton. 

“Yes,” came the answer from his companion whose 
eyes beamed with paternal pride. 

As they neared the porch, Charles called out, 
“Hurry up here, old pal, and meet this friend of mine 
that you probably remember hearing about.” 

As Lundgren reached the top step he suddenly 
placed his hand to his eyes and hesitated for an in¬ 
stant, but only for an instant. He had carefully hid¬ 
den a strange look that came upon his face. Then 
throwing back his shoulders he said smilingly, “This 


28 


BLACK ROCK RANCH 


dust does sure get into one’s eyes here, don’t it, Buddy? 
Now introduce me to the only girl in the world, as you 
used to say when you were delirious.” 

'This is Miss Priestley, Mr. Lundgren.” 

As the young lady extended her hand in hearty 
greeting, she said, “Mr. Lundgren I have heard so 
much about you I feel that I know you already. Be¬ 
sides, the name Lundgren is somewhat familiar to me, 
as my older sister knew a young man in college of that 
name. I have heard her speak often of him as a 
wonderful athlete and captain of the football team. 

“Yes,” he replied, “there are a great many in the 
East of that name. What college did your sister at¬ 
tend, may I ask?” 

“Drake University.” 

“Let me see, Drake is in Iowa, I believe?” 

“Yes, Des Moines.” 

“I remember hearing of Drake. We in Texas are 
not as familiar with colleges as we should be.” 

A little later, Helen asked, “Speaking of Texas,—I 
know it is a large state—but I am wondering if you 
ever met a Mr. Arnold, who has large holdings in that 
country—a very large stock ranch, and I imagine a 
well-known and influential man?” As she asked this 
she looked straight into Lundgren’s face. 

In answer he said, “Yes, I met a Mr. Arnold in Fort 
Worth. He happened to be stopping at the same 
hotel where I was. He had large properties there, I 
was told, a ranch with several thousand cows I think.” 

Just at this time dinner was announced and all 
made their way to the dining-room. 

During the meal, Miss Priestley, addressing Mrs. 


A REMINDER OF THE PAST 


29 


Hammond, asked, '‘Did you hear about Junior Stock- 
dale being lost in the hills yesterday ?" 

“Why no! Of all things! I’ll venture to say now 
he ran away while his mother's back was turned for 
a minute." 

“Yes, he was gone from two o’clock until five, when 
they found him asleep behind a big rock beyond Mr. 
Rideout’s." 

“Now, isn’t that just like boys," said Mrs. Ham¬ 
mond, “running away getting lost, or being kidnapped, 
or something. Charles used to give me so much 
trouble about running away when he was a toddler. 
Some mothers tell me it is less trouble to raise three 
girls than one boy." 

“Now, Mother," said Charles, with a touch of sar¬ 
casm in his tone, “Didn’t you ever hear of girls 
giving their parents any trouble? It seems to me I 
have heard of girls that have caused their parents lots 
of grief. What was that story, Father, I’ve heard you 
tell at different times, about a girl that got stolen or 
something that happened in the East? Didn’t Uncle 
Charles have to go and find her ? Let’s hear that. Dad, 
it’s a good story and will interest all of us." 

Mr. Hammond began, “My brother, a lawyer in the 
East, has told me about it, and sometimes yet, refers 
to the incident in his letters. It happened in his home 
town in Illinois, some fifteen years or more ago. It 
was on one of those cold winter nights, with a fierce 
wind blowing off the lakes, when he heard a knock 
at the back door. He immediately answered it, and 
found standing there a man and woman with a little 
girl, all shivering with the cold, being none too warmly 
clothed. The man asked if they might come in to get 


30 


BLACK ROCK RANCH 


warm. Of course, my brother who is a very kind man 
gave them a hearty welcome. As they sat by the fire, 
he readily saw that they were not of the lower class, as 
he had supposed. While their clothing was not of the 
best, yet they were very neat and clean. In speech they 
used good English and conversed with intelligence. 
The man, he said, was evidently of foreign parentage, 
with dark hair and eyes, and had a foreign accent. 
His wife was quite his opposite in appearance, blonde 
hair, blue eyes and possessing all the characteristics of 
a real lady. The little girl, who was not over four or 
five years old, was a beautiful child, in fact my brother 
says he has never seen a handsomer face. Looking 
up to her mother she said, ‘Isn’t it nice and warm in 
here, Mamma, and we were getting so cold.’ 

" ‘Yes, dear, and wasn’t the gentleman kind to let 
us come in?’ 

“ ‘Yes, Mamma. But will we have to go out in the 
cold again tonight?’ 

“ ‘No, indeed,’ quickly answered my brother. ‘Not 
unless you have another warm place to go. Come 
over here, little one, and tell me how you happened to 
be out on such a night.” 

“ ‘I think I can explain that more satisfactorily 
than Ruby,’ said the man. 

“He then went on to say that their name was Rossi, 
that they were musicians, and had been making their 
living by giving entertainments in the different towns, 
but had met with discouragements and had made only 
enough for a bare subsistence. Now they were entirely 
out of money, and as he had had no training in any 
other line, they had started that morning to walk to 
this town hoping to have better success, but the storm 


A REMINDER OF THE PAST 


31 


had come upon them hindering their progress. 
Brother’s house was at the entrance to the town, and 
they had come there for admittance. 

“It is needless to say that they were given food 
and a warm room for the night, and Brother told them 
he would see next day what could be done for them. 

“He owned, at that time, a building leased as a 
cafe, and he induced the proprietor to employ this 
couple to provide music during the noon-day and 
evening meals with the violin and piano. Having also 
a vacant apartment in an old house, he allowed them 
to make use of it. They arranged with the woman 
in an adjoining suite to care for their child and were 
most happy with their work. This woman seemed to 
lavish all her affection on the little girl. Her hus¬ 
band, a good-for-nothing, was incapable of affection, 
domineering and unkind to his wife, besides being dis¬ 
honest and inclined to pick up anything he wanted, 
regardless of who it belonged to. After having been at 
the cafe for about three months, I think, the musicians 
were starting for home one evening, when it was snow¬ 
ing so they could see only a few feet ahead of them. 
While attempting to cross the railroad track, a limited 
came rushing along and both were instantly killed. 
That same day a warrant had been issued for Dan 
Brown, this man in the apartment next to theirs, for 
the theft of some clothing, I believe it was. In some 
way he had heard that he was apprehended, and with 
his wife made a hasty get-away, and took little Ruby 
with them. 

“Now comes the strange part of the story. About 
two weeks after this accident, a man came into my 
brother’s office asking for information in regard to the 


32 


BLACK ROCK RANCH 


Rossis. It seems the woman had married against her 
father’s wishes, and he had disinherited her, but just 
before his death he had relented, and left her quite an 
estate. This, of course, would go to the child, and they 
tried every way possible to find Brown. After tracing 
him to this coast, they were unable to locate him and 
had to abandon the search but if ever the little girl is 
found, a fortune will be waiting for her.” 

‘‘That surely is an interesting story, and I hope the 
girl may sometime come into possession of her prop¬ 
erty. Is there any way to identify her?” asked Lund- 
gren. 

“Well, no, except a locket she wore with her 
mother’s picture inside; but that is probably lost or 
destroyed.” 

When they had finished the meal, and were prepar¬ 
ing to return to the veranda, Mrs. Hammond asked, 
“Charles, will you and Helen give us some music while 
we watch the lights come on?” 

The young folks acquiesced, after inquiring as to 
what selections would be most entertaining to the 
listeners. Soon from the music room the sweet 
strains of old plantation melodies were wafted on the 
evening air. At one time Lundgren remarked, “I sure 
would have been sorry to miss this grand sight tonight 
of the moon coming up over the valley, and I shall 
carry the happy memory of this evening with me, as 
I go to the ranch.” 

The two sang well together, their voices blending 
beautifully throughout the many selections. Then 
for a closing number they sang “My Old Kentucky 
Home,” which seemed to touch Morton more than 
any of the songs, and for the first time in years, he 


A REMINDER OF THE PAST 


33 


was forced to wipe the moisture from his eyes, which 
he did most stealthily. But Mrs. Hammond saw 
and understood, and she thought, “Poor boy! It will 
do him good!” But he never knew she saw that he 
was moved to tears. 


V 


Helen's Story 

When they had finished singing, Helen asked 
Charles to take her home, saying she had promised her 
mother to return early, as there would be for them a 
busy day on the morrow. 

Charlie called out to the veranda, “Have we sung 
you all to sleep?” 

“No, indeed,” returned Lundgren, “and that was 
a fine entertainment you gave us.” 

Helen came out to say goodbye to the family, and as 
a last word, “I wish you success at the ranch, Mr. 
Lundgren, and good night to all.” 

Shortly after leaving the house Helen said to 
Charles, “I could hardly wait to tell you when we were 
alone that I have seen Lundgren before.” Charles ex¬ 
pressed great surprise. 

“You can’t mean it!” he said. 

“Yes, I certainly do mean just that, and I believe he 
recognized me at first. It wasn’t the dust in his eyes 
that made him put his hand to his face. His seeming 
lack of knowledge as to the location of Drake Uni¬ 
versity, and his evasion of my question about Mr. 
Arnold were also strange.” 

“I can’t understand it,” said Charles. 

“Nor I,” said Helen, “and that was why I was so 
anxious to speak of it to you. Now I will tell you 
what I know about it, but you must never let him 
34 


HELEN’S STORY 


35 


know. I think I have told you before that my father 
was bursar at Drake while my sister was a student 
there, and we lived quite near the college. She had 
a great many acquaintances, among them being a very 
attractive girl named Hazel Braucht. While Edna 
enjoyed her company, yet there was a something about 
her she didn’t altogether like, and sometimes said to 
Mother, T have a lovely time with Hazel, but she is 
very selfish and seems to love money more than any 
thing else. She has told me many times that no mat¬ 
ter how well she liked a man, she would never marry 
him unless he was wealthy.’ 

“She always confided in sister and told her that she 
and her parents had been in Texas the greater part 
of three years, that two young men had fallen in love 
with her. Both were wealthy. One was several years 
older than herself, very refined, dressed in the latest 
fashion and shone as a society man. The other was 
just her age, one of the biggest-hearted men she had 
ever known, a real Westerner, having been on the 
range all his life, and always carried off all the prizes 
in the cowboy’s carnivals, roping, and broncho-busting, 
and with what she called a 'six-gun’ was like lightning. 
She vowed she loved him distractedly, but really 
thought that the older one had more money. Edna, in 
surprise said, ‘Hazel, you really wouldn’t marry a man 
just for money, would you?’ and she replied, T cer¬ 
tainly would! But fortunately the man I love does 
have money, and I have promised to marry him. Just 
think of me marrying a Westerner! His parents died 
when he was only fourteen and he took charge of the 
ranch and finished high school at Fort Worth, and 


36 


BLACK ROCK RANCH 


is here in college now. And I will bring him over 
some evening. His name is Lundgren.’ 

“Edna was surprised when she found that he was 
the fellow who had taken all the football honors and 
had more than once saved the day for Drake. My 
sister asked her why she had never told her before 
then of her engagement, and she said, ‘It was only 
last night that I promised him.’ Said he was simply 
irresistible, that he always had his way in everything. 
Said she had tried to get him to take up a law or the 
medical course instead of horticulture, but that she 
couldn’t budge him,—that he said ‘no’ in such a way 
that she knew it was final, and no further urging was 
necessary. She said she would just have to take him 
as he was— But here we are at home, and I must 
cut this short.” 

“Go on,” said Charlie, “I must hear the rest.” 

“Well, she brought him to our house one evening. I 
saw him, and his face is not easily forgotten, and I just 
know he is the same fellow. He was very attentive to 
Hazel while in college, but about two weeks before 
his graduation, he suddenly left, and no one ever 
knew where he went. 

“He and Hazel were to be married soon after com¬ 
mencement, and Arnold found it out, so he began to 
try to turn Hazel against Lundgren. He came to see 
her, and knowing her love of wealth, told her he had it 
from a reliable source, that Lundgren was in a fair 
way to lose everything because of some bad invest¬ 
ments. She asked for proof of his assertions, and he 
said that the company he had invested in failed to find 
oil and went broke as so many do. He gave her the 


HELEN'S STORY 


37 


name of the company, but he didn’t tell her that he 
himself was the wild cat promoter of it. 

‘The next time Lundgren called on Hazel he noticed 
a coolness in her manner which surprised and hurt him 
terribly. After a while she asked him if he ever in¬ 
vested in oil stocks, and he said he had. Then she 
said, They make a lot of money in oil, don’t they?’ 

“He told her that sometimes they did, but un¬ 
fortunately his investment was a failure. She asked 
if that meant they would have to postpone their mar¬ 
riage. He sat quiet for a time, then said, That de¬ 
pends on your decision, Hazel.’ 

“So she, supposing it was true that he had lost 
everything, told him she could never marry a poor 
man no matter how much she loved him, and he said, 
‘Do you mean to say you meant to marry me for 
money, and not love!’ and if so he would be going, 
that it was very hard to give her up so short a time 
before their marriage, that he had told his friends and 
now he would never want to meet them again, and 
have to tell them that the girl he had trusted had 
proved false to him after all his fond hopes that their 
life together would be a heaven on earth. 

“So he left that night, leaving no address. 

“Then, in six weeks after her graduation, Hazel 
married Arnold, and in a few months found she had 
married a poor man, for he had mortgaged all his 
property to finance his oil scheme, and lost. 

“It is possible, though, that Lundgren has never 
heard of Arnold’s failure. Now, Charlie, you know 
more about your friend than you ever did, but he is 
a friend worth having, and when we are in a home of 
our own, we should be happy to entertain him. And 


38 BLACK ROCK RANCH 

now I must bid you goodnight—and we 11 invite him to 
our wedding, won’t we?” 

“We sure will,” said Charles as he held her close 
in his arms for their good-night kiss. 


VI 


Lundgren’s Traveling Companion 

The next morning as Mr. Hammond was preparing 
to leave for his work, Lundgren asked if he might 
ride downtown with him. 

‘‘Most certainly,” was the hearty reply, “glad to 
have your company.” 

Morton then went to say good-bye to Mrs. Ham¬ 
mond and Charles, explaining when he had returned 
to the waiting automobile that soon as he had attended 
to some business with Mr. Winterton, he would leave 
for the city and take his train for the ranch. 

“Must you leave so soon ?” inquired his host. 

“Yes, I have had quite a play-spell already, and 
must get down to every-day life again.” Turning to 
Charles, who stood at his side, “Now, Buddy, you 
must come up to the ranch some time this summer, and 
we’ll do some good hunting and fishing.” 

“Sure thing,” replied Charlie. “That is, if I can 
get away. You know, I am planning to be married 
late in the fall, and by the way, Helen says we will 
want you to come to our wedding without fail.” 

“Well, I’ll try to come, Buddy, if I can get away, 
and in case I can’t come down then, I’ll send my 
congratulations anyway. I certainly wish you all the 
happiness possible in this life, with no disappoint¬ 
ments before or after your marriage. So good-bye 
and again, many thanks for the good times you-all 
39 


40 


BLACK ROCK RANCH 


have given me. Your mother has promised to be a 
Mother to me.” 

“Yes,” said Mrs. Hammond, with tears in her eyes, 
“don’t forget that if ever I can do anything for you, 
I’ll only be too happy to do so.” 

“Thanks, and from this time on, I reckon I’ll call 
you Mother.” 

Mr. Hammond and Lundgren entered the bank 
finding Mr. Winterton had arrived before them. 

“Good morning, Mr. Winterton, I thought it best 
to come in before your busy time to get my final in¬ 
structions.” 

“That’s fine!” was the reply, “and I am glad to see 
you are still anxious to tackle a hard job.” 

“Yes, a hard job’s about the only one that’s worth 
while, don’t you think, Mr. Winterton?” 

“Yes, but not all are competent to make a success 
of the hard propositions and if not, it is better to un¬ 
dertake something easier.” 

“That’s true, too,” said Lundgren, “but what is easy 
for one, is hard for another. No more credit is due a 
man of ability who succeeds in a big undertaking, than 
to the fellow who does his very best on a smaller 
job and has success. But how am I going to get to 
your ranch?” 

Winterton handed him a time-table, indicating his 
train and the station where he would leave the railroad 
and take the stage for the remainder of the journey. 
“I fear you will be wearied from the night’s ride, as 
they carry no sleeping-cars on that train.” 

“I shan’t mind that” said Lundgren, “the Pullmans 
are too close and stuffy for me, anyway.” 

They shook hands and in parting his employer said, 


LUNDGREN’S COMPANION 


41 


“I am depending on you to redeem the ranch. Do it in 
your own way, and you have my full support. I am 
having a special check book made which I will send you 
in a few days. I wish you the best of luck.” 

Lundgren walked over to Mr. Hammond’s desk, say¬ 
ing, “I find I have left something in the safety deposit 
box which I reckon I’d better take to the ranch with 
me.” And unlocking the box, he took from a package 
a revolver which he placed carefully in an inside pocket 
of his coat. Returning to the desk, he said, “My six- 
gun has been a good pal of mine for a long time, and 
has never failed me. Now, I’ll say again, good-bye, 
and God bless you and Mother Hammond.” 

As he walked out from the building this beautiful 
morning, he felt happier than for three years. ‘‘It 
seems almost as if I were going home. Hope I won’t 
be disappointed,” he thought. 

He reached the station just as the car was starting to 
pull out and swung himself on to the step with an 
agility that attracted the attention of onlookers. Tak¬ 
ing a seat on the side of the car which gave him a 
view of the mountains, he gazed upon them, saying 
to himself, “Old Sentinel, you are always on guard, 
and I hate to leave you. I hope that in my new loca¬ 
tion there will be one as grand as you, that I can look 
at each day to help me to be decent; for it sure 
pays to be decent.” 

Arriving in the city, Morton alighted from the trol¬ 
ley and walked briskly through the crowded thorough¬ 
fare until he had reached the retail stores where he 
spent most of the day selecting clothing and other 
articles needed at the ranch. The one thing that re¬ 
quired more time than anything else was a saddle. 


42 


BLACK ROCK RANCH 


Then the last was a 30-30 rifle. How odd it seemed 
when all the purchases were packed for shipment to 
furnish the strange new address “Keough” for the 
tags. To himself he wondered if he should ever really 
feel at home anywhere. 

Taking out his watch, he found it was about supper 
time, so he sought out a cafe. When the meal was 
finished, he went directly to the railway station, arriv¬ 
ing there a full half-hour before the train was to leave 
for the North. 

Having secured his ticket, he sat down to watch the 
ever-increasing stream of humanity coming and going, 
and fell to wondering what was in the heart and mind 
of each one, as he scrutinized the many faces, no two 
of which were alike. 

His attention was attracted to a stalwart man just 
entering the waiting room. He wore a khaki suit, high 
laced boots, and had the general appearance of a 
stock man. As he called for a ticket, Mor¬ 
ton noticed his destination was Keough. He then 
looked around for a seat, when Lundgren hastened 
to make room for him, saying pleasantly, “Come 
and sit here, stranger!” The offer was gladly ac¬ 
cepted, and he went on to say, “I was afraid I’d miss 
this train, but am here in good time. I brought in a 
train load of cattle, and we were late, and I was 
beginning to think I might have to stay over here 
twenty-four hours, or nearly so, and I didn’t want to 
do that. I don’t like the city, and besides, I have so 
much work to do, I don’t think I ever will get caught 
up.” 

“Well,” said Lundgren, “if that’s the case, I reckon 
the fellow who follows in your foot-steps when you 


LUNDGREN’S COMPANION 


43 


shuffle off, will have something to do. I reckon 
you-all will have me for a traveling companion tonight, 
for I heard you call for a ticket to the same place I 
am headed. ,, 

“Good!” exclaimed the other, “the last time I went 
out on this road there was only one other passenger 
besides myself after leaving La Mesa. This was a 
woman, and she wasn’t inclined to be very sociable 
so I was pretty quiet. Wife tells me that if I couldn’t 
talk, I would just bust. But I tell her that before 
I’d let anything like that happen, I’d talk to myself to 
relieve the pressure.” 


VII 


Valuable Information 

The train pulled into the station and the strangei 
turning to Lundgren, said, ‘'Let me carry one of your 
grips, I’m traveling light. We can hurry in and get 
a good seat for we will probably be crowded till we 
change in three or four hours onto the road that 
runs up through the valley. 

“Here is a seat in this end of the car that will keep 
us off the floor, anyway. Say, if I have occasion to 
call your attention to something, what shall I call you ? 
My name is Wilson.” 

“And mine is Lundgren.” 

“Well, that’s a name I never heard before. But 
it don’t matter I guess what they call us just so it’s in 
time for dinner.” 

Lundgren had been closely studying his new-found 
friend, and readily formed this opinion of him: “A 
man who is honest, and is worse to himself than to 
anyone else. Unselfish, leaving his own work to help a 
neighbor,” and the thought occurred to him also that 
here was a chance to get some information concern¬ 
ing the ranch. 

“And how far are you living from the Black Rock 
Ranch?” 

“Just about eight miles. I bought six steers of them 
to fill out my last car. Are you interested in the 
ranch?” 


44 


VALUABLE INFORMATION 


45 


"Well, I reckon I am, somewhat. I have just been 
hired as manager, and I’m on my way there to take up 
my new duties.” 

Wilson looked into his face with serious interest, as 
he asked if he had ever been at the place and looked 
into conditions there before undertaking such a tre¬ 
mendous responsibility. 

"No,” replied Lundgren, "never knew there was 
such a place until about a week ago. I want you-all to 
tell me what you-all know about it.” 

"As a ranch, there is none better than the Black 
Rock, and very few its equal. It is one of the oldest 
ranches in the Valley, but has not kept pace with the 
others in the last ten years, in improvements, new 
methods and so on. There used to be an old road¬ 
house where the present buildings stand, and a division 
for the stage. It was the rendezvous for all criminals 
and outlaws from all the mining districts. If a 
stranger stopped there, he was fortunate if he got out 
alive. Of course, things have changed now, but a rem¬ 
nant of that same element still exists there, the last of 
their kind in the Valley and that same element is going 
to die hard. Now this meanness is all done under 
cover, while in former years they knew no law but 
their own. 

"My friend, you have a hard proposition, and I have 
no doubt there are men on that ranch who will try to 
get you. And they are probably real gun-men. You 
are likely to have trouble with Young, the foreman. 
His men are all afraid of him. He gives them an exhi¬ 
bition of fancy six-gun play occasionally, just to re¬ 
mind them he is running things.” 

"How long has this Young been in the Valley?” 


46 


BLACK ROCK RANCH 


“I think at least fifteen years, perhaps longer. He 
knows the cattle game. A good rider, a good hand 
with the rope, but if I were you I wouldn’t let him 
get the drop on me if I could help it.” 

“You say you bought six steers of Young?” 

“Yes, gave him fifty dollars apiece for them; and 
by the way, I mustn’t forget that I owe him ten dol¬ 
lars yet on them. I didn’t have quite the change when 
I paid him.” 

“I don’t reckon there is ever any cattle rustling 
going on up there in the Valley?” asked Lundgren 
innocently. 

“Well now, since you spoke of it, I think I have 
heard talk of some missing cattle occasionally, but not 
much said about it. You know, it don’t do much good 
to talk until you have the goods on the guilty parties. 
When we catch them, red-handed, then we can do our 
talking. I have known men to go over the Black Rock 
looking for strays, but they failed to find any. I will 
say this confidentially, that there are some mighty 
strange things going on and if you can get at the bot¬ 
tom of them the whole Valley will be your debtor.” 

“And can I rely on you,” asked Lundgren, “as a 
helper, in time of need?” 

“I will give you my hand on that,” and suiting the 
action to the word, he gripped his hand, and Morton 
knew he had found a friend who would stand by him 
when the testing time came. Continuing, he volun¬ 
teered, “and I can give you the guarantee of ten more 
men who will help when I say the word, but you don’t 
need to know who they are as we want no names men¬ 
tioned. And I don’t believe we should seem to be ac¬ 
quainted or at least on intimate terms, much as we 


VALUABLE INFORMATION 


47 


might enjoy that; but I will keep you posted whenever 
anything happens.” 

“I understand your meaning perfectly, Mr. Wilson, 
and I surely appreciate your friendliness. If you have 
the wonderful Valley I have been told, it is a shame 
to have its beauty maimed by a bunch of outlaws and 
it is our duty to clean things up a bit. I helped do 
some house-cleaning once down in Texas and it sure 
was a changed community when we got through. 
Down there we call them skunks, and you just natu¬ 
rally got to get rid of skunks to clear the atmosphere.” 

Just at this time a brakeman came through the 
coach calling out the station they were nearing. 
“Change cars for all points north.” 

“Well!” exclaimed Wilson, “I didn’t realize we 
were so far along on our journey. Better button your 
coat good and tight or the wind is likely to blow it off 
of you before we get inside our car. I was never here 
but once when the wind wasn’t blowing, the residents 
remarking at that time that they so enjoyed their calm 
balmy days; but even then I lost my hat, and I saw a 
woman’s wig go sailing down past the water tank.” 

When they were outside Lundgren saw that the 
prophecy had been fulfilled, a real gale coming with 
such force that it seemed everything in its path would 
be swept before it. 

The train being already in, they placed their lug¬ 
gage aboard and went to find a lunch counter. “This 
wind sure is a bracer, and does work up an appetite,” 
said Lundgren, to which his companion assented. 
After having regaled themselves with double orders of 
sandwiches, coffee and mince pie, Wilson declared he 


48 BLACK ROCK RANCH 

felt as well satisfied with that as though he had had a 
full meal. 

They then went to their coach, and Lundgren said 
he was going to try to catch a few winks of sleep, and 
his companion said he thought that a good idea but 
that he could never sleep on a train. As there were 
but few passengers, they proceeded to turn two seats 
together and placing their overcoats for pillows were 
soon reclining comfortably. 

“Good-night,” said Wilson. “When you look out the 
window in the morning, there will be spread out be¬ 
fore you the most wonderful panorama you ever be¬ 
held. For beauty and grandeur nothing can compare 
with our sunrises.” 

Hardly were these words spoken when there was 
snoring, and Lundgren smiled to himself as he thought, 
“Poor man'! Can’t sleep on the train.” He, himself, 
was soon asleep, although he awakened two or three 
times during the night always hearing that steady 
snoring coming from Wilson’s improvised berth. 

The sun was just coming up over the mountains 
its rays glinting through the car window when Wilson 
sat up and looked about him. Observing Lundgren 
on the rear platform taking in the wonderful view, he 
called out cheerily, “Well, how are you this morning? 
Get any rest?” 

An affirmative answer, then the question, “How 
about you?” 

“Oh, I caught a few cat-naps. Never could sleep 
to do any good on the train. But what do you think 
of the view?” 

“Wonderful! You stated it mildly,” answered 
Lundgren. 


VALUABLE INFORMATION 


49 


“Why, man, you haven’t seen anything to compare 
with what is just ahead of us around the point of hills 
to the west. They stop to take water, and we’ll have 
about twenty minutes to get off and take it all in. But 
here we are, going through the Pass now. Get your 
hat and we’ll be all ready to get out.” 

As soon as the train came to a standstill the two men 
were off, taking in great deep breaths of this wonder¬ 
ful air from the snow-capped mountains. “This is one 
sight of which I never tire. And I feel lost whenever 
I am away from it,” said Wilson. 

Lundgren seemed almost lost in wonder as he gazed 
upon the splendid panorama spread out before him, 
then broke the spell by exclaiming reverently, “Senti¬ 
nels of God! Ramparts on the rim of the Valley! It 
makes one feel so insignificant.” He scanned the val¬ 
ley which to the north, as far as the eye could measure, 
seemed level as a floor with here and there a solitary 
hill or mountain seemingly placed there for decoration, 
and in the distance a placid silvery lake, its waters 
shimmering and sparkling in the rays of the morning 
sun. Wilson pointed out to him the several peaks, 
calling attention to the few trees on their slopes, ex¬ 
plaining the grandeur of the winter scenery when they 
were clad in ermine robes. 

They boarded the train again, and after a time 
Mount Whitney rose toweringly before them and 
Lundgren gazed in silent awe for a few minutes, then 
exclaimed, “The masterpiece of the Deity!” and for 
two hours rode watching the miles of ever-changing 
colorings on the jagged mountain peaks. Again he 
spoke, “The half has not been told! Switzerland can- 


50 BLACK ROCK RANCH 

not beat it. It will take a long time for me to digest 
it all.” 

“You will have to come out of it now, in about ten 
minutes, and come down to earth,” said Wilson, “for 
we are nearing Keough, then in another hour you will 
be at Black Rock Ranch if the stage hangs together; 
and then a man’s job confronts you.” 

The stage ride to Black Rock was full of interest to 
Lundgren, and he had time to collect his thoughts 
while making detailed observations of the valley as he 
rode along. Acres and acres of alfalfa just coming 
into bloom. Then down from the higher grounds came 
the river and the grazing lands, dotted with thousands 
of cattle. There were substantial farm houses with 
bams and corrals near, and groves of cottonwood, 
poplar and locust trees. 

After covering about seven miles of all kinds of 
road, they came to a ridge of black rock rising from 
the ground to a height of perhaps twenty feet, ex¬ 
tending for miles, almost the full width of the valley. 
The driver, who seemed to be a sort of walking en¬ 
cyclopedia, spoke, addressing Lundgren, “This is 
where Black Rock Ranch gets its name, and when we 
get through that gap ahead, we’ll be on the ranch, 
itself.” 

Soon the ranch lay out before them, and Lundgren 
asked, “Do you-all know this country round about 
here?” 

“Hell, yes, and this here land is the best in the whole 
damned Valley. I can tell you anything you want to 
know, stranger, things that happened as far back 
as when the Indians went out on the warpath and 
killed most of the white settlers. See that lake back 


VALUABLE INFORMATION 


51 


there? Well, the soldiers drove them from behind 
that hill to our left, down to that lake, and drowned 
every damned Indian that had on the war paint. One 
dead Indian is worth two live ones any day—” 

Lundgren was forced to interrupt the narrative say¬ 
ing, “I’m sorry I can’t have time to hear more of the 
history of this region, but this is my destination.” 

“You don’t say! I thought you was goin’ on 
through with me. Goin’ to stop here awhile ?” 

“I can’t say how long,” replied Lundgren, “but 
long enough, anyway, to get my lungs filled with this 
good air. So long, see you again some day. Adios,” 
and the driver waved a good-bye, calling out, “Good 
luck to you.” 


VIII 


The Arrival at Black Rock 

After alighting, Lundgren stood for an instant tak¬ 
ing in the surroundings. There was a commodious 
two-story building set back from the road about three 
hundred feet, with grounds laid out, ready for beauti¬ 
fying shrubbery, trees and vines, and a double drive¬ 
way. A neat cottage stood about fifty paces from 
the larger house, while another long building suggested 
itself as a bunk-house for the men. Everything 
seemed well-kept about the premises on this side but 
the barn and corrals opposite presented a very different 
appearance, indicating shiftlessness and lack of care. 
Loose boards were in evidence, and a set of harness 
could be seen hanging from a wagon tongue, a saddle 
on the ground beside the granary, and a door was 
hanging by one hinge. 

Taking up his hand-baggage, he took another look 
toward the “masterpiece/’ then with long, easy strides, 
soon reached the steps of the main building. In 
answer to his ring a matronly woman of middle age 
opened the door. Lifting his hat, with a bow he 
asked, “Do I have the pleasure of speaking to Mrs. 
Horton?” 

“Yes, sir,” was the reply. 

“My name is Lundgren, and here is a letter of 
introduction from Mr. Winterton.” 

She gave him cordial greeting and continued, “I 
52 


THE ARRIVAL AT BLACK ROCK 53 


received a letter from Mr. Winterton yesterday, but I 
was not expecting you until next week. Come right in 
and I will show you to your room.” 

“Thank you, Mrs. Horton, I would like to have a 
talk with you in about a half hour if you can give me 
the time.” Mrs. Horton assured him she would be at 
liberty, and could see him at that time. 

When Lundgren came from his room to meet Mrs. 
Horton in conference, he asked, “How is Mr. Horton? 
Mr. Winterton told me he had been in poor health.” 

“He is showing marked improvement, and I believe 
in time will fully recover his health in this wonderful 
climate. For some time before we came here he had 
been unable to do work of any kind, but now he keeps 
busy most of the time about the yard and garden.” 

“I am surely glad to know that,” said Lundgren, 
“I want to inquire about things at the Ranch. Have 
we a good class of men? Have they the interests of 
the place at heart, and are things going all right?” 

“I hardly know how to answer your question, Mr. 
Lundgren. They are a rather surly crowd. Not many 
take any interest in the ranch, and I am afraid you can 
trust few of them. I have felt so uneasy ever since 
I knew you were coming to take charge, and yet I 
know something must be done soon or this will be¬ 
come an outlaw ranch. I wish you would give special 
attention to a sixteen-year-old boy that Young has here 
on the ranch. His parents died last year with the flu, 
the men are hateful to him, and he never gets a kind 
word from them. Whenever I try to show him any 
attention or any little kindness, the men act worse 
than ever. He is refined and such a bright boy, but 
always has a kind of scared look in his eyes.” 


54 


BLACK ROCK RANCH 

“Well, I reckon that will be one of my first jobs, 
and I am glad you-all have told me about it. 

Mrs. Horton continued, “I think his parents left 
him some money that Young is trying to get hold of. 

“Can you tell me where Young is?” inquired Lund- 
gren. 

“No, he went away this morning on horseback. He 
is gone so much and leaves the ranch in charge of a 
man named Potter during his absence, and Potter is 
the one who is so insulting to Joe. I don’t think 
Young would have gone away today if he had known 
you were to be here.” 

“I think I’ll go now and look around the place and 
not hinder you longer. And I thank you, Mrs. Horton, 
for your confidence.” 

Lundgren took up his hat and went out on the front 
porch, where he stood for a few minutes gazing in¬ 
tently at his surroundings taking in every detail, as 
Mrs. Horton afterward described it to her husband. 
Then, with a determined air, he crossed the road to 
the barns, and passing round the corner of a granary 
he came upon an open shed used for storing the farm¬ 
ing implements. Beside the hay-baler lay a man who 
seemed to be just waking from a nap. As Lundgren 
walked toward him, he rose to his knees with deliber¬ 
ation, then by taking hold of the baler managed to 
draw himself up. Lundgren thought him the most 
ungainly specimen of humanity he had ever seen. A 
man of medium height, weighing about two hundred 
and eighty pounds, with red unkempt hair that stood 
like hog bristles above a low, slanting forehead. He 
wore an old dirty shirt and faded blue overalls sup- 


THE ARRIVAL AT BLACK ROCK 55 


posedly held up by a leather strap which, however, was 
seemingly derelict of duty. 

“Good-mornin’, stranger. Darned hot today, gives 
me the headache,” he said, addressing Lundgren. 

“I reckon I must have wakened you from a sound 
sleep,” said Lundgren. 

“No, I just laid down here. My wife was sick 
last night, and I was waitin’ on her and didn’t get a 
wink of sleep. I hadn’t ought to come to work today.” 

“Oh, you are working here?” said Lundgren. 

“Yes, I got a little homestead up yonder on the side 
of the mountain, and I got a job down here to make 
tobacco money.” 

Morton then asked, “What are your official duties 
here?” 

“Oh, I’m sorta chore-boy. I am to keep things clean 
around here and have feed in for the horses when the 
boys comes in from the fields.” 

“I suppose you are the one that keeps the boards 
nailed up on the fences and barns?” 

“I reckon so,” came the drawling reply. 

“Then why don’t you do it ? What is your name ?” 
inquired Morton. 

“My name? I don’t know as it’s any of your 
damned business, but the boys call me ‘Red’ for short.” 
As he said this Lundgren stepped directly in front of 
him, and when the fellow looked into those piercing 
eyes his bravado subsided, and with an ugly smile said, 
“My pay envelope says Hunter.” 

“That’s better,” said Lundgren, “Can you tell me 
when Young will be here?” 

“Oh, most any time now. I heard him tell Potter 
he’d be back by noon, and it’s most that time now. 


56 


BLACK ROCK RANCH 


I see the men turnin’ out for dinner.” As Lundgren 
walked on to the corral Red soliloquized, “I wonder 
who in the devil that stuck-up guy is, anyway!” 

Morton, in the meantime, had climbed to the top rail 
and seating himself, was much interested in watching 
the horses. “These must be the cow-horses—some 
pretty good ones, I should judge.” Then his atten¬ 
tion was attracted to a sorrel with a white star in its 
forehead. This particular horse was larger than the 
others, with well-developed muscles, and was built for 
speed. A long mane and tail added to his attractive¬ 
ness. Lundgren mused, “I don’t see any saddle marks. 
He is an intelligent looking animal. He seems to be of 
a very nervous disposition, and I would say he has 
been abused.” His admiration for the horse increased 
as he carefully studied him, and he climbed down and 
walked over nearer. 

With a wild snort the animal threw up his head as 
much as to say, “Don’t come any nearer. You can’t 
fool me!” then started to run around inside the en¬ 
closure with head held high and flowing mane, making 
a pretty picture. 

“That’s some hoss, Mister, and there’s never been 
anybody able to stay on his back over five minutes, 
so far.” 

Lundgren quickly turning toward the speaker saw a 
slender youth standing near, watching with great ad¬ 
miration the proud sorrel parading before them. “I 
reckon you’re right, Bud, when you say that’s some 
horse. He don’t look like an outlaw.” 

“That’s what he is though, Mister; the best riders 
haven’t been able to stay on top.” 

Just then there came an angry voice from the barn. 


THE ARRIVAL AT BLACK ROCK 57 


“Joe, oh Joe. Where are you, you lazy vagabond! 
If I get my hands on that kid Til sure fix him. He 
tied that horse too short again, and it broke the halter.” 

“That’s me he’s talking about,” said Joe, with a 
half-frightened look. “It was Red that tied that 
horse, but he lays everything on to me, and he beats me 
up sometimes for nothing, and has threatened to shoot 
me.” 

“Well, now, that’s kind of bad, Joe, and he’ll just 
naturally have to quit that.” 

“Oh, he does just as he pleases ’round here. The 
men are all afraid of him, except Young, and he’s 
about as bad. Just wait ’til I get to be man enough, 
and I’ll get even with them yet. But I must take a 
hike before he sees me. Maybe when dinner is over, 
he will have forgot that he was looking for me.” 

“That’s right, son, always avoid trouble it you pos¬ 
sibly can.” 

Soon a man came riding up, and turning his horse 
into the corral, walked briskly past Lundgren without 
so much as a nod. 

“Guess from the description I have had, that must 
be Young,” thought Lundgren. “I reckon I’ll have to 
make the first advance.” 

He watched Young go into the cottage, and fol¬ 
lowing soon came to the door and rapped. As it 
opened, the greeting came to him, “Howdy? What 
do you want?” 

“Well, I think I’ll step inside,” replied Lundgren, 
“if yomare Mr. Young” and he entered the room. 

“And suppose you are not wanted in here—then 
what ?” 

“Oh, I’ll come in, anyway. I was sure I wasn’t 


58 


BLACK ROCK RANCH 


wanted, or you would have invited me in. I reckon 
you-all might try to throw me out, but I don’t think 
anything like that is going to happen. Here is a letter 
that Mr. Winterton asked me to give to you.” 

All this time Lundgren had not been able to get a 
look into Young’s eyes, for they were constantly shift¬ 
ing from side to side, or looking toward the floor. 
After reading the letter he tore it into bits and threw 
it into the stove. '‘And so you are Lundgren, the new 
manager, are you? He must not have been satisfied 
with the service I was giving him.” 

“No, I don’t think he was, or he wouldn’t have sent 
me up here.” 

“Well, now, you got it, what do you expect to do 
with it?” asked Young, sarcastically. 

“Well, I reckon I calculate to run it,” replied 
Lundgren. 

“Well, you’ll have one hell of a time, is all I got 
to say. I suppose then I’m fired.” 

“No, not necessarily. I want a foreman, and I’ll 
give you a try-out, but what I say goes.” 

“I’ll stay for a while,” answered Young, sullenly. 

“All right,” said Lundgren, “after dinner you may 
introduce me to the men as having charge of the ranch. 


IX 


An Unusual Introduction 

After the noon-day meal was finished and the men 
were taking a little rest under the shade trees near 
the barn, Lundgren called to his foreman that he was 
ready to meet the boys, then added with a smile, “Go 
ahead and shoot.” 

Young called out nonchalantly, “I want all you 
fellows to meet my esteemed friend and pal from the 
city, who has come up here to show us tenderfeet how 
to run a cow-ranch, and I suppose he’ll have some 
time a-showin’ us.” 

Lundgren’s face turned a shade darker and his 
teeth came together with a snap as Young continued 
derisively his introduction with much superfluity. 

In Texas when he assumed this air, with right foot 
a little in advance, it was known to mean that he was 
preparing for quick action with his six-shooter. But 
in this assemblage it was looked upon as embarrass¬ 
ment, and nearly all joined in with laughter and jeers. 

Stepping boldly up to Young he said in a command¬ 
ing voice, “You have said enough now, and I reckon 
I’ll do the talking for a while. In the first place you 
said I was your ‘esteemed friend from the city.’ You 
lied to them, therefore you’re a liar.” His right hand 
had gone to his side, and at the word “liar” Young 
went for his gun, but he was not quick enough, for like 
a lightning flash he had been covered by Lundgren, 


60 


BLACK ROCK RANCH 


who with his left hand knocked the gun from Young's 
hand. Picking it up with his free hand, he threw it to 
one side then, placing his own beside it, said, “Come 
on, now, and fight like a man, and when I get through 
with you I reckon you’ll introduce me like one.” 

Young could not be called a coward when it came to 
a fight, and if he had had science to add to his weight 
he would have been no bad match for Lundgren. He 
came at his opponent with the rage of a maddened bull, 
and Lundgren met the onslaught with his left fist, 
which staggered Young, and before he had time to 
steady himself, he was caught under the jaw with a 
right upper-cut which raised and landed him ten feet 
away. “Now, if you have had enough, get up and 
tell these men who I am, and why I am here.” 

Young said, “I guess they already know who you 
are.” 

“Tell them, and be quick about it,” said Lundgren, 
threateningly. 

“This man’s name is Lundgren, and what he says 
goes on this ranch, and you can see he knows how to 
take care of himself.” But as he said this he could 
not conceal the hatred in his heart. Lundgren ac¬ 
knowledged this doubtful compliment as though it had 
been given in the proper spirit, by a smile of recogni¬ 
tion to the men. 

“All right, men, I think you understand things, and 
I shall expect loyalty from every one.” 

Walking over to the firearms he picked them up, 
and handing Young’s to him, said, “I want to go over 
the books with you, and send Joe to the house as I 
want him to go on an errand for me.” 


AN UNUSUAL INTRODUCTION 61 


In a short time the boy came to the room which 
was used as the office, saying Young had sent him. 

“All right, boy, sit down while we talk.” 

“But I’d like to know how you done it.” 

“Did what?” asked Lundgren. 

“Oh, you know,” said Joe, “how did you draw that 
gun so quick? You sure have got action, and that 
last knock-out—that was some knock I’ll tell the world, 
and Young sure had it cornin’ to him.” 

“Well now kid, don’t you go to thinking too much 
about gun-play, because it gets kids into trouble, but 
some time, if you will promise never to use it except 
in self-defense, I will show you how I do it. My father 
taught me when I was younger than you are. Joe, 
have you a horse you can ride ?” 

“Yes, sir, I can ride any of them in the corral except 
the sorrel.” 

“I want you to go to the express office and get a 
saddle and bridle I had sent up from the city. It will 
take you all the afternoon.” 

“All right, sir. Say, I’m glad you are here. It’s 
going to be fine to have a boss like you, but you watch 
out for Young, or he’ll get you, and he has men 
around him that are just as bad as he is; but if I hap¬ 
pen to hear anything, I’ll let you know.” 

“All right, son. Now you go on, and get back as 
soon as you can. We’ll have some good times when 
we get better acquainted. Any fishing up here in the 
hills?” 

“You bet! And I know where the best places are.” 

“You’ll have to show me, some day.” 

Shortly after Joe had gone, Young came to the 
office with anything but a happy expression on his 


62 


BLACK ROCK RANCH 


countenance. He was somewhat disfigured by a swol¬ 
len eye. Lundgren greeted him as though nothing 
disagreeable had taken place between them, and said, 
“All right, Young, do you keep a memorandum for 
the ranch?” 

“No, not much of anything. If I sell anything I 
jot it down in this book and what it sold for. Haven't 
sold anything much. Just been stocking up.” 

“Have you sold any cattle this year?” 

“No, not a hoof. Had some rustled, though.” 

“How many?” inquired Lundgren. 

“About two hundred. Couldn’t get any trace of 
them. Had fifty taken the first of last week, from 
Long Valley Ranch, but can’t find out a thing about 
where they went to. I’ve had men looking for them 
every day since I found they were missing.” 

“If you will leave me this book, I would like to 
look it over at my leisure. I’m sorry, Young, that that 
thing out there had to happen. It was disgraceful, 
and I don’t want to have to repeat my part of it again, 
and I don’t reckon you want it to occur again either.” 


X 


Lundgren Sends an S. O. S. Call 

Left to himself, Lundgren, instead of looking 
over the account system as he had meant to do, 
sat looking out toward the mountains then fell 
to ruminating over the happening of his first day 
at Black Rock. He reflected that it would have 
been the wiser plan to let Young go, except that 
he must ferret out the cattle rustling, and as 
Young had made one misstatement already, in 
saying that he had not sold “a hoof” off the 
ranch this year when Wilson had bought six 
steers to fill out his car, paying cash for them, 
his suspicion was aroused. There might be hope 
of catching him if he remained on the ranch and 
was the ring-leader, as he had begun to believe. 
“I am going over this place and get thoroughly 
acquainted with it, then somebody better look 
out,” he mused. 

Taking his pen he wrote a short letter to an 
address in Texas as follows: 

“Dear old Jim: I need you out here in Cali¬ 
fornia. I am in Sierra Valley. Have a hard 
nut to crack and I reckon you-all better come 
to help me. Buy your ticket to Keough, then 
take the stage to Black Rock Ranch and hire 
as a cow-hand, but don’t know me. Your 
old pal, M. L.” 


63 


64 


BLACK ROCK RANCH 


After he had finished he put the letter in his 
pocket and walked out to the corral. 

“I think I’ll take another look at the star-faced 
sorrel,” he said, this time opening the gate and 
stepping inside. As soon as the horse saw him 
he started circling around the enclosure, his head 
held high. “So you’re an outlaw, are you? I 
think I’ll adopt you and make a right domestic 
animal of you, your proud devil. A man’s no 
good without some spirit, and I guess a horse is 
just the same.” All this time the animal was 
racing around as if expecting Lundgren to try 
roping him, or else throw some kind of missies at 
him, but instead of this, the visitor was appar¬ 
ently taking little notice of him, but was coming 
a little nearer all the time. Finally the horse 
stopped and stood snorting wildly. Then Morton 
began talking to him. “Now, I don’t reckon you 
need to do that. I am not going to hurt you. 
You and I are going to be partners before long 
and you might as well begin to be friendly with 
me.” Seeming to realize by this time that no 
harm was meant, he allowed Lundgren by slow 
degrees to come up to within a few feet of him, 
then shied and began running again. 

At one end of the yard there was a smaller 
enclosure about ten feet square. Morton walked 
quietly over to this and letting down the bars 
finally succeeded in driving the sorrel inside 
then closed him in. Climbing to the topmost rail, 
he seated himself and began talking to his prisoner 
as he stood trembling in every muscle. Soon, 
however, he became more quiet. Morton then 


LUNDGREN SENDS AN S. O. S. CALL 65 


came down and went over to an alfalfa field 
near by and with pocket knife, cut an armful, then 
went back to his place on the fence. He threw 
a handful on the ground, all the time talking in 
friendly quiet tones. It was not long until the 
horse took up a mouthful of the tempting grass 
and went over to the farther corner before begin¬ 
ning to eat it. More handfuls were dropped, each 
time a little nearer to himself than before. After 
a time the animal became more calm and came 
quite near to where Lundgren was sitting. 

When the supply was almost exhausted, Morton 
slid quietly down inside the corral holding the 
remainder under his arm. The horse by this 
time seemed to realize that no harm was intended, 
so he came near enough to take small wisps of 
the grass, and continued his meal. Finally Mor¬ 
ton succeeded in rubbing the glossy neck. “I 
reckon you-all will have to have a name. It seems 
you have lots of snap, so I think Ginger will be 
a fitting name for you. Now, Ginger, tomorrow 
I’m going to bring you some more alfalfa and 
I’m going to put a rope on you, and some day 
you are going to allow me to ride you.” 

All this had taken more time than Lundgren 
realized, for he noticed now the sun was coming 
down toward the mountain tops. Looking up the 
road he sighted the stage on its way down the 
valley, and waiting there he took from his pocket 
the letter he had written that afternoon, and 
asked the driver if he would mail it for him. 

“Sure,” was the cordial reply. “Any old time 


66 


BLACK ROCK RANCH 


you want to send a letter you just give it to me, 
and I’ll see that it starts on its way.” 

Soon Joe came riding up with the new saddle 
and bridle that he had brought from the express 
office. “Well, Bud, you made good time.” 

“Yes, I just plugged right along. Some saddle 
you got here. Nothing like it in the valley that 
I have ever seen. Where are you going to 
keep it?” 

“Take it up to my room for the present; and 
Joe, I wish you would give the sorrel a forkful 
of hay. He is in the small corral.” 

“All right, Mister, but do you think of trying 
to ride that horse?” 

“I think maybe I’ll try him out some day.” 

“Well say, don’t try him before any of the 
men, for if they saw you get throwed they’d be 
tickled to death.” 

That evening when the men filed into the dining 
hall for supper, Lundgren was there before them, 
as he had wished to have a look at each one as he 
took his place at the table. One among them 
attracted his attention more than the others, for 
he had noticed that this particular man had not 
seemed to enjoy Young’s jesting in the introduc¬ 
tion that afternoon. He seemed of rather a pleas¬ 
ing personality, a well-built man of perhaps one 
hundred and seventy-five pounds in weight, dark 
hair and clear brown eyes. As he passed Lund¬ 
gren, he gave a smile of recognition which was 
returned. Although no words were exchanged, 
Lundgren felt he had a friend in this man as he 
was undoubtedly of a very different type from 


LUNDGREN SENDS AN S. O. S. CALL 67 


the rest. After the meal was over and the men 
had gone to the bunk house, Lundgren went to 
the living-room where Mr. and Mrs. Horton were 
sitting, and during their conversation together 
inquired as to this man. He was told that his 
name was Kelly, and that he had been at the 
ranch only about two weeks, was quite reserved, 
and did not seem to have much to do with the 
other men. They, too, had been favorably im¬ 
pressed with him. Lundgren sat talking with 
the two for a half hour or more, then returning 
to his room wrote at some length to his employer. 


XI 


An Early Morning Walk 

The next morning Lundgren awoke just as the 
day was beginning to dawn. Getting out of bed 
he went to the bathroom for his cold plunge, then 
dressed hurriedly and left the house. Walking 
by the corral, he gathered some green alfalfa for 
the captive sorrel and began talking to him. 
“How do you like being penned up in a ten by 
ten all night? You don’t seem quite so scared, 
do you?” as the horse reached through the fence 
for his tempting food. 

A small creek ran through one end of the main 
corral, from which Lundgren brought a bucket of 
water for the horse. Then he decided to follow 
the stream up toward the mountains to find its 
source. After about a mile’s walk he came to a 
growth of willows on either side of the rivulet, 
also grass and fine shade. Seating himself on a 
flat stone, he looked over the valley toward the 
mountains on the opposite side, and could see the 
sun just coming up over their tops, and was lost 
in admiration as he gazed on the splendor of the 
scene. 

When he was ready to go back to the ranch, 
he heard voices just on the other side of the 
grove of trees. Turning in that direction, he 
saw two men approaching, and readily recognized 
68 


AN EARLY MORNING WALK 


69 


them as Potter and Red Hunter. They did not 
see him for the trees, and stopping just opposite 
where he sat, uncorked a demijohn which one 
of them was carrying and proceeded to take a 
drink. 

“Red, you got a better scald on this than you 
did that last. That was rotten stuff.” 

“You think it was, do you? I noticed you fel¬ 
lows seemed to get rid of it all right, anyway. 
We gotta be careful how we dope out to the boys 
now, since that danged, swell-headed dude has 
come to take charge of the ranch. We gotta get 
rid of him some way or other, the sooner the 
better before we shift cattle. But we don’t need 
to worry over that. There’s lots of ways. There 
might be an accident, a gun might go off acci¬ 
dentally, or that bull might get out of his pen 
some day when he is walkin’ through the lot. 
Young was just saying last night he’d have 
another notch to cut on the handle of his gun 
before long, and he sure won’t let that guy get 
by after givin’ him such a beatin’ up.” 

“He’s got some wallop in that right arm of his,” 
said the other. “I’d just as soon be hit by a 
kickin’ mule.” 

“Yes, and he’s quick as hell on the draw, too. 
I never seen his equal and I’ve seen some gun¬ 
men, too, in my time. But we’d better get this 
stuff down to the boys before His Royal Highness 
gets out of bed. Some of the fellers think he’s 
goin’ to try to ride that sorrel devil.” 

“I hope he does, for sure as shootin’, he’ll get 
a spill.” 


70 


BLACK ROCK RANCH 


Then they trudged along toward the ranch. 

Lundgren smiled as he said to himself, “A man 
forewarned is a man forearmed, and I reckon I ve 
been forewarned.” Getting up from his seat he 
cast his eyes toward the great mountain peaks. 
“The Masterpiece is beckoning to me, so Til go 
a little nearer.” As he walked he meditated upon 
the things he had just heard concerning himself. 
When his attention was attracted by the barking 
of a dog, and discovered that he was nearing a 
house, if such it could be called, a most wretched 
habitation. Dilapidated fences and a general air 
of shiftlessness and neglect seemed to surround 
the place. 

Lundgren said half audibly, “That must be 
Red’s place. I think I’ll make a little detour, for 
I’m not ready to have him know I have been 
up here.” Crossing to the other side of the 
stream, he could still make observations without 
being discovered by anyone who might be in the 
house. He had not gone many steps farther 
until he saw a spring coming out from the 
mountain side. Shade trees were growing near 
the spring, and just beyond, a good-sized flower 
garden—the only attractive thing about the place. 
“That is surely the work of an artist,” he thought 
as he stood looking at the splendid arrangement 
of the plants, the effective groupings, harmonizing 
shades making a striking picture in the riot of 
bloom. “Order out of chaos,” he exclaimed, as 
he turned away from the spot. “Think I’ll go on 
a little farther and see those great pines at close 
range.” 


AN EARLY MORNING WALK 


71 


When he had come to the edge of the forest, 
he stopped suddenly, and listened. Was it— 
could it be possible that he heard music? To his 
right and still farther up the mountain side there 
came to him the distinct tones of a violin. In 
great surprise he exclaimed, “Wonder of won¬ 
ders! Another artist in this out-of-the-way place! 
I’ll just go on and see who it is who can play 
like that.” He had not far to go until he came 
to a clearing, where overlooking the wonderful 
valley, a small cottage nestled back againt the 
mountain-side. On either side of it rose great 
cottonwood and locust trees, while in front stood 
twin pines, magnificent specimens towering as 
sentinels. In the shade of one sat an aged man 
whose hair was white as the driven snow. With 
bared head he sat wholly absorbed in his beloved 
instrument. 

Lundgren had stood motionless for some min¬ 
utes, then started toward the player when the 
air changed to “Nearer, My God, to Thee,” then 
stopped, and with bowed head drank in the 
melody until it was finished. Then he came up 
to within a few steps of his entertainer and broke 
his spell with “A very appropriate selection for 
a Sunday morning like this.” 

Looking up in great surprise that he had a 
listener, the old patriarch said, “Yes, it is a fine 
morning. You came up in time to attend my 
Sunday morning service. I don’t play any more 
except on Sunday mornings, as I feel I can wor¬ 
ship better throughout the day if I have heard 
some of the old familiar things. But are you 


72 


BLACK ROCK RANCH 


not rather early, or perhaps you have a camp 
near by and I may have disturbed you?” 

“Not at all,” replied Lundgren, “I am not 
camping, but am from the Black Rock Ranch. 
You see, I’m a stranger in these parts and I got 
up early to see the sun rise, then took a hike up 
here to see what is in these hills.” 

The old man eyed him searchingly. “And may 
I ask how you came to cast your lot with the 
Black Rock?” 

“Oh, I just got acquainted with the owner in 
the South, and accepted a position from him as 
manager, and now I am just getting acquainted 
with my job. You-all have a wonderful location 
here. Have you been here long?” 

“Yes, I have been here for fifteen years. People 
tell me I am foolish to live here all alone, but I 
love it. No place else would be like home to me 
now. See that mound yonder by that weeping 
willow? My wife is sleeping there. Just before 
she passed away she asked me to lay her to 
rest there, and I gave her my promise. And I 
want to be placed beside her when the time 
comes for me to go. You see, in college I took 
up mining engineering, and after our marriage we 
came to Nevada where I worked at my chosen 
profession until her health gave way and we came 
here hoping this climate would prove beneficial 
to her. We had a team and camp-wagon and 
would stop and stay in one place just as long 
as we liked it, and I would do prospecting. One 
night just fifteen years ago, we made camp right 
down there by those willows, and have been here 


AN EARLY MORNING WALK 


73 


ever since. I located a gold mine right back 
of the house. You see the mouth of the tunnel? 
It has made me a living. We both liked it so 
much here that we felt we never wanted to leave. 
A little over a year ago, Mary was stricken with 
pneumonia, and it proved to be a losing battle.” 

For a few seconds the old man was silent as he 
gazed intently in the direction indicated. Then 
turning toward the visitor he asked, “And so 
you have come to manage the ranch? And were 
you acquainted with any of the men there before 
you came to the place?” 

“No, I had never seen any of them.” 

“Well, I am afraid you have some pretty hard 
fellows to deal with, if what I have heard is true.” 

“Yes,” answered Lundgren, “it is true, I have; 
but I reckon it will come out all right when the 
weeding time is over. I’m mighty glad to have 
happened up here and made your acquaintance, 

and would like to come often if you will allow 

__ >> 

me. 

“You just come as often as you like, and I’ll 
be more than glad to have you. I can see you are 
not in the same class as the fellows I have seen 
from there. That man Hunter who works there 
lives in that tumble-down house you passed on 
the south side of the stream.” 

“I saw that place,” said Lundgren, “and sup¬ 
posed it was his homestead he spoke of. And by 
the way, who is the landscape gardener? I 
couldn’t think it was Hunter himself.” 

“No, indeed, that gardener is as pure and 
sweet as the flowers she grows. She goes by the 


74 


BLACK ROCK RANCH 


name of Ruby Hunter, but that is not her real 
name. She is a great friend of mine. She used 
to tell my wife and me that they are not her 
parents, that she can just remember her father 
and mother, but doesn’t know how she came to 
be with these people. Hunter is very abusive 
to his wife at times. She is a woman who hasn’t 
much mind of her own, and never tries to develop 
mentally—reads trashy novels. She has, though, 
one redeeming trait, she loves Ruby distractedly 
and is kind to her in her way. The girl has some 
education but received her training from my wife. 
After she was gone I tried to help her with her 
studies. I have never seen anybody with such 
a keen mind. I believe she is ready to enter 
college. You will meet her some time.” 

“I hope so,” replied Lundgren. “I must be 
going, but before I go I must learn your name.” 

“It is Garrett.” 

“My name is Lundgren, and I am glad to know 
you, and want to be counted as your friend.” 

Just at this time a voice called from the opposite 
side of the house from where the men were sit¬ 
ting: “Uncle Garry! Oh, Uncle, where are you?” 

“That’s her now,” said the old man with a 
beaming smile, then called out, “Here, honey, 
come out here.” 

She came bounding round the corner of the 
house, but discovering the stranger she stopped 
suddenly, while over her countenance came a 
look not unlike a frightened faun. 

“Come and meet my new-found friend.” 

She obeyed, coming forward slowly, with some¬ 
thing of timidity in her manner. Lundgren 


AN EARLY MORNING WALK 


75 


thought she made a pretty picture in her hiking 
skirt and blouse, which was open at the throat. 
Her face had a healthy coat of tan, and her dark 
hair hung over her shoulders in curls. She was 
not very tall, but possessed of a finely developed 
figure, a true specimen of healthy young woman¬ 
hood. 

“Ruby, this is Mr. Lundgren, who has taken 
the management of the Black Rock Ranch, and 
I am sure he is going to be one of our friends.” 

Lundgren never could remember just what he 
said in acknowledgment of her greeting as she 
came forward with extended hand, but he was 
conscious of her rare beauty and purity as he 
looked into those great blue eyes. And such 
eyes! They seemed to read his innermost 
thoughts. 

“I am glad to meet any friend of yours, Uncle, 
but I didn’t know that any of the men from the 
Ranch were in the habit of visiting you!” she 
said. 

“That has been so in the past; but Mr. Lund¬ 
gren has promised to come often and keep an 
old man cheered up and not let him get too stale.” 

“How you talk, Uncle! The idea of you ever 
getting stale!” she chided, as she stroked his 
white locks tenderly. 

Lundgren announced that he must surely be 
leaving them now, and return to the ranch. Mr. 
Garrett shook his hand warmly as he said, “I 
shall expect you again soon.” 

Lifting his hat as he bowed, Lundgren then 
turned and started down the grade. When only 
a few steps from the house, Ruby called to him, 


76 


BLACK ROCK RANCH 


then came running toward him. “I just wanted 
to tell you, Mr. Lundgren, to be careful.” 

Smiling at her, he asked, “Careful of what?” 

“Oh, I don’t know, but there are some bad men 
down there.” 

“Yes, I understand,” he replied soberly, “and 
I thank you for the warning.” 

She stood watching him as he went down the 
path, until the trees hid him from her sight, then 
with bowed head went back to “Uncle Garry’s” 
chair. She stood for some time with an absent, far¬ 
away look in her eyes, then sat down without 
saying a word. 

“And what makes my little lady so quiet?” 
the old man asked. 

“Oh, I was just thinking,” was the reply. 

“And what is my ‘wild flower’ thinking?” 

“Why, Uncle,” she said hesitatingly, “I never 
had anyone impress me just as this man does. And 
what is the reason? I felt just as if I wanted 
to look in his face, he seems so kind. And what 
a splendid physique! I remember a story you 
told me of one who was a ‘man among men’ and 
I believe he will be the man among men at the 
Black Rock Ranch.” 

He did not answer her immediately, but taking 
off his glasses, wiped them with his handkerchief, 
and after having adjusted them said, “Wild- 
flower, bring your chair nearer that I may look 
into your eyes while I talk to you.” 

“Now, that’s better,” he said when she had 
complied with his request. “And has my girlie 
seen the man that she could love?” 


AN EARLY MORNING WALK 


77 


“Why, Uncle, I had not thought of that,” and 
her face turned crimson as she spoke. 

“No, I don’t think you had, but when a girl sees 
a young man that impresses her as Lundgren did 
you, it is sometimes love, but love is nothing to 
be ashamed of, when you find the right one to 
love. I don’t want you to love someone who is 
not worthy of your affection.” 

“Yes, Uncle, but can’t you see Lundgren is 
worthy of anyone’s love? I don’t know how to 
tell it, but I feel sure he is not one who would 
betray a confidence, and oh! Uncle, if he were 
free to be loved I know I could love him. Yet 
I know how hopeless it would be. He would be 
kind to anybody, but I must remember that I 
am a nobody, and he has seen how I have to live 
in that wretched old house and have a thief and 
drunkard for a father. I am so glad they are 
not my very own parents,” and she brushed aside 
a tear while her lips and chin quivered as she 
made a heroic effort to conceal her emotions. 

“Now have patience, child, and all will work 
out right by and by. If I am not mistaken in 
that man, it would be for yourself alone if he 
really loved you, and I do think he is interested 
in you. Perhaps that is the reason you thought 
he looked so kind. While I believe him to be of 
a very kind disposition, yet I would not want to 
cross his path when he is angry. I believe him 
to be a man of justice, and I believe, too, that he 
will change the order of things at the Ranch. 

“Yes,” responded the girl thoughtfully, “if they 
don’t kill him.” 


XII 


Joe as an Ally 

While Lundgren was making his way back to 
the ranch, his mind seemed confused. He was 
trying to think over the conversation he had over¬ 
heard between Potter and Red, then his mind re¬ 
verted to the old mining engineer, and to the 
girl, his new acquaintances, whom he had met so 
unexpectedly. “I didn’t dream any woman could 
so impress me again, as she has done, but I must 
be thinking of something else. But soon there 
came a stray thought, “Surely a girl who could 
grow such flowers wouldn’t go back on a fellow 
just because she thought he had lost his money.” 
And try as he might, it seemed impossible to 
keep her out of his thoughts. 

As he neared the ranch, the place seemed de¬ 
serted. None of the men was in sight, but as he 
passed the barn he heard voices. At first he 
could not make out where the sound came from, 
but listening intently found it was from a shed 
which had been used for the horses as a wind¬ 
break during the winter season. Going over 
nearer to the place he could see some of the 
ranch hands congregated there—eight of the most 
disreputable men on the place. Potter stood in 
the center of the group speaking very earnestly 
and waving his hands to emphasize his words, but 
78 


JOE AS AN ALLY 


79 


at sight of Lundgren he ceased speaking and all 
were painfully quiet. 

“Good morning,” said Lundgren in the most 
friendly tone. Most of the men wholly ignored 
the greeting, one or two grunted out a recog¬ 
nition of the salutation, while Potter, who seemed 
to be pleased with himself, gave a sly wink at 
one of his companions. Then making an attempt 
at bravado, called out, “Good morning, boss, hope 
you slept well last night!” 

“Yes, I reckon I did. I usually sleep quite 
soundly, and I suppose you and your friends here 
all did the same?” 

“How about you, Red,” asked Potter, “did you 
sleep well?” 

At this some of the men laughed coarsely. 

“No, I didn’t rest so very well. You know I 
have rheumatism when I lay down and it keeps 
me awake a lot.” 

One of the crowd asked, “Why don’t you sleep 
a-standin’, like a horse?” 

“I might do that,” was the reply, “if it wasn’t 
that the rheumatism is in both legs, and it acts 
different. My right leg hurts when I’m a-standin’ 
up, and the left hurts when I’m a-layin’ down, so 
it keeps me a guessin’ what to do, lay down or 
stand up, and some nights I’m up an’ down all 
night.” 

“I tell you, boys, what we’ll do with Red,” 
spoke another. “We’ll have to tie a rope round 
his neck and tie him to the limb of a tree, just 
so his feet don’t touch the ground, and that will 
cure him of lyin’, too.” 


80 


BLACK ROCK RANCH 


Lundgren then interrupted further remarks by 
asking, “Can you tell me where I can find 
Young ?” 

“Don’t know,” answered Potter, “he left about 
an hour ago. He don’t always tell me where he’s 
going.” 

“Oh, well, it doesn’t matter. I’ll see him when 
he comes in.” And at this Lundgren started in 
the direction of the house, when one of the men who 
showed plainly that he was somewhat under the 
influence of liquor, called to him, and with a sneer 
asked, “When you goin’ to ride the sorrel? I 
don’t mean to be inquisitive at all, but I’d like 
to see him broke. Make a nice saddle-nag.” 

Lundgren turned, and looking the fellow 
straight in the eye, said, “You want to know, 
do you? Well, that’s none of your business,” and 
walked away. 

“Did you find out what you wanted to know?” 
asked Red. 

“Found out as much as I expected to from a 
darn fool. I’d ought to have drawed my gun on 
him and made him apologize to me.” 

“No,” said Potter, “you’d be a dead buckaroo 
if you had. Don’t any of you fellows try that 
game on him. You leave that little job to me 
and Young. Bein’ as he has showed up here, 
let’s take the water bottles and go down stream.” 
And they all shuffled off after their leader. 

After leaving the men, Lundgren went to his 
office, and standing at his west window, could 
see the trail he had just come over, and by look¬ 
ing carefully, could locate the two pines that 


JOE AS AN ALLY 


81 


stood in front of the Garrett cottage. He won¬ 
dered if Ruby was still there, and thought of what 
a comfort she was as a companion to the lonely 
old man. 

“Ruby! Where was it I heard that name? It 
seems so fresh in my mind,” he mused. 

Just at this time he saw Joe approaching from 
the direction in which he had been looking. “Poor 
kid! No one to keep him company,” he thought, 
and decided to call him in and talk to him. As 
the boy was passing the door, Lundgren called 
out to him, “Well, kid, better come in and we’ll 
talk it over.” 

Joe’s face was lighted with a smile as he re¬ 
turned, “All right, Mister.” 

“Now, see here, Bud, don’t ‘Mister’ me any 
more, for we’re well enough acquainted now 
for you to call me by some other name.” 

“What do you want me to call you?” 

“Oh, I don’t care. Call me ‘pard’ if you like, 
when we are out by ourselves.” 

“I think I better call you ‘Lundgren’ all the 
time. If I got in the habit of calling you by 
any other name, I might forget before the men.” 

“All right, son, you can just call me Lundgren 
then. Joe, I notice all the men around here 
have a wonderful supply of cuss-words, and I 
believe if I were you, I’d cut that out so as to 
not be like them, if for no other reason.” 

The youth hung his head and looked at the 
man as he replied, “I know a kid does get into 
that habit, and they just naturally come out when 
he don’t know it.” 


82 


BLACK ROCK RANCH 


Lundgren then told him of how his own mother 
had always told him, when a small boy, that it 
wasn’t manly to use profane language, and said 
thoughtfully, “I wanted to be a decent man, and 
I have learned it pays to be decent.” 

“And Joe, I think I will get me a car, and then 
you and I will have to take in some of the sights 
of this valley.” 

“That will sure be great,” exclaimed Joe, 
exultantly. 

“Well, Joe, what have you been doing this 
morning, or rather, where have you been?” 

“Oh, I just been kinda knockin’ around.” With 
some hesitation he continued, “I’ll tell you one 
thing, if you won’t give me away.” 

“Shoot.” 

“Well,” said the boy, lowering his voice, “I 
wanted to know where Young was going, so I 
trailed him. You know Red has a daughter. I 
heard him tell Young one day that she was 
twenty-three, but he’s such a d—d liar—Oh! 
excuse me, Mr. Lundgren.” 

“Go ahead with your story. And why was 
Red telling her age?” 

“Well, you see Young is trying to be sweet on 
her, and so I happened to hear them talking, and 
Young told Red that if he didn’t let him have 
Ruby (that’s the girl’s name) he was going to 
turn him over to the sheriff for selling booze to 
the boys, so Red said she was twenty-three, and 
could do as she pleased. I’ve seen him go up 
that way at different times, so when I seen him 


JOE AS AN ALLY 


83 


takin’ a sneak up that way this morning, I fol¬ 
lowed him to see what he was up to.” 

“And what did you find out?” 

“Why, when I saw him goin’ up the south trail, 
I took the middle one, and keeping out of sight 
I got ahead of him, and hid up there close to 
Red’s old house. Pretty soon Ruby come out 
and took the trail that leads up to old man Gar¬ 
rett’s place. She had on her hiking suit and she 
sure looked fine, goin’ up there. Made me think 
of a deer. She wasn’t quite out of sight when 
Young came up and he set down to wait until 
she come back, as she was too far ahead for 
him to catch up with her. He was under a tree 
not far from where I was hiding. 

“In about a half hour he seen you cornin’ down 
along the creek. He raised up and stood behind 
the tree, and I thought he was goin’ to take a 
shot at you. He took out his gun and started to 
raise it, and I was just goin’ to holler to you to 
look out, but he decided not to shoot. After you 
got on by, he set down again, and he sure looked 
mad. It must have been another half hour before 
Ruby came back down the trail a-walkin’ slow, 
and lookin’ down at the ground. Young seen her 
cornin’ and got up and waited till she got even 
with him, then he stepped out in front of her. 
She looked terribly scared, and I thought she was 
goin’ to run back. Young said, ‘Good morning, 
my fine young lady!’ She throwed her head 
back, and say! She was mad! She told him she 
was not his lady, and for him to let her pass. 
‘Now don’t be so high-minded,’ he said. ‘Come 


84 


BLACK ROCK RANCH 


and set down and get acquainted with your future 
husband. Your father has promised you to me, 
and I have come a-courtin’ !’ 

“Ruby’s eyes flashed fire as she said, ‘Do you 
think I’d marry you? Before I’d marry such a 
brute, I’d die first!’ 

“He said, ‘Oh, it’s so sudden! But you’ll get 
used to it before long. Come, now, give me a 
kiss!’ and he went up close to put his arm around 
her, and she slapped him in the face. He grabbed 
her, and I seen he was going to get the best of 
her, so I rolled a big rock down the bank, and it 
made such a noise goin’ through the brush that 
it scared Young and he let go of her and she run 
as fast as she could to the house. Then I slipped 
through the brush and come home.” 

“You did fine work, Bud,” said Lundgren, and 
to himself he said, “Young will answer to me 
for this morning’s behavior, some day!” 

Patting the boy kindly on the shoulder, he said, 
“You had a man’s job, and you sure got it done. 
I think I’ll appoint you as a special protector for 
this girl, to see that Young doesn’t molest her 
again, and if you need any help, just call on me. 
But I hear the bell now. After dinner we will 
try to find something to occupy our time.” 

Only a few of the men were in for the noon¬ 
day meal, and Mrs. Horton remarked that she 
never knew how many to order Sunday dinner 
for. When they were about half through the 
meal, Young came in with scowling looks and 
seated himself at the table. Lundgren nodded 
pleasantly as he said, “Young, how are you today? 


JOE AS AN ALLY 85 

Your face looks like you had been in the barbed 
wire.” 

“No, not barbed wire, I went down into the 
lower pasture to take a look at the cattle, and 
came back through the mesquite patch and wasn’t 
looking where I was going, and scratched my face 
on a limb.” 

He then gave a searching look at Lundgren as 
he asked Lundgren what he had done to pass 
the forenoon away. 

“Oh, this morning I took a hike up the creek 
expecting to go only a little way, but kept on 
going until I had come to the pines before I 
realized I had gone far. It affords one a fine view 
of the valley, but I suppose you-all have been 
up there.” 

“Yes,” answered Young, “I have been up there 
a time or two.” 

“Mrs. Horton tells me,” said Lundgren, “that 
the men go away on Sunday without letting her 
know, and she can’t tell how many to have the 
cook prepare dinner for, and I wish you would 
speak to them about that. And by the way, to¬ 
morrow morning you and I will take a ride over 
the ranch and have a look at the cattle.” 

It was plainly noticeable that the foreman re¬ 
sented the giving of orders or in any way being 
dictated to, but Lundgren took no notice of the 
fact, and went on talking as though Young had 
been in the most cordial mood, continuing with, 
“I don’t think we will have time to go to Long 
Valley tomorrow, but we will very soon.” 

“All right,” returned Young, “just as you say, 


86 


BLACK ROCK RANCH 


you’re running things, I suppose that’s the way 
to feel about it.” 

“I’m glad you feel that way about it, and 
there’s one more thing I want you to do, and 
that is to put Hunter to driving a team, and 
we’ll try out Joe, here, as chore boy for a while.” 

“Why do you want to make that change? 
Hunter’s not very good with a team.” 

“Very well then, let him go and get a man that 
can handle a team. I don’t like the way things 
are looked after around the barns and corrals.” 

“Oh, well,” said Young, “I guess Hunter can 
probably get along with the team. We’ll see 
what he can do before we let him go.” 

Lundgren could see that Young wanted Hunter 
to remain on the ranch, and seemed fidgety and 
anxious to get away from the table and told 
Lundgren that if he wasn’t needed longer, he 
would like to go to Keough on a little business. 

“Certainly,” answered Lundgren pleasantly. In 
a few minutes Young rode away and soon the 
few men at the ranch, with the exception of 
Kelly, followed his example. 

Lundgren and Joe went together to the shade 
of some trees and sat down on a bench. 

“Looks as if we had everything pretty much to 
ourselves, doesn’t it, son? And can spend a 
happy afternoon together.” 

Soon they saw Kelly coming from the bunk- 
house with chaps and spurs as though prepared 
for a ride. He came up to them and asked Lund¬ 
gren if he might have a word with him privately. 

“Sure thing,” replied Lundgren as he led the 


JOE AS AN ALLY 


87 


way around the corner of the barn, where the 
two stood for a moment looking each other in 
the face, when Kelly extended his hand saying, 
“Put it there. I am with you, and I wanted to 
have a long talk with you, but I’ll say now, I 
know a real man when I see him. I have a hard 
trip before me and want to get back before 
morning. Don’t let anyone know I am on your 
side or it might spill the beans, but if we can 
arrange a secret meeting for tomorrow night, I 
would like to do so. How will it be to meet at 
the bridge east of the grove at nine-thirty?” 

“That suits me all right,” said Lundgren. “And 
I’ll sure be there if I can get away without being 
detected.” 

They shook hands again and Lundgren watched 
the other ride away on a fine bay horse at a long 
swinging gallop. 

Returning to Joe, he asked that no mention 
be made of Kelly’s request for the conference. 

The remainder of the afternoon was spent in 
conversation, the boy telling his life story, and 
Lundgren learned that the boy’s uncle had been 
in a partnership with Young, and the uncle had 
died shortly before Joe’s parents were stricken 
with the same malady. Young had kindly helped 
to minister to them, and so won the confidence 
of the father that he asked him to act as guardian 
for Joe, and also as administrator of the estate. 
When settled and all claims were paid, Young told 
Joe that nothing had been left for him. He had 
also been induced to sign some papers, by Young, 
which he had not understood. 


88 


BLACK ROCK RANCH 


He ended his story by saying, “Then he com¬ 
menced to knock me around, and has been mean 
to me ever since.” 

Lundgren then proposed that they go out to the 
corral and have another look at the sorrel. As 
they walked along, Joe exclaimed, “Gee! But I 
have enjoyed being with you this afternoon.” 

“I am glad you have,” was the reply, “and 
we’ll have some more good times. You are to be 
chore-boy and general utility man around here 
from now on.” 

“Yes, I heard you tell Young. He didn’t like 
it, either, but I don’t care so long as you’re 
around here.” 

As they came near the horse, he threw up his 
head and gave a loud whinny. 

“Why that devil knew you, and is glad to see 
you!” exclaimed Joe. 

“He’s no devil, Joe, he has just lost confidence 
in people and once he finds I am his friend and 
mean no harm, he’ll be a regular pet. You hop 
over the fence and bring me some of that green 
alfalfa, and see him follow me around.” 

Before the grass had been brought, Lundgren 
went inside the enclosure with the horse. He 
showed no fear, but allowed his neck to be 
stroked. Joe came and stood watching the two 
with great interest. Lundgren continued petting 
the horse, talking to him the while, affectionately. 
Rubbing the animal’s foreleg, he held up the 
foot, then let it down very gently saying, “You’re 
coming on fine, old boy. If I could train the men 


JOE AS AN ALLY 


89 


that abused you, as easily as I can you, my job 
would be finished before very long.” 

Taking the grass from the boy’s arms, he called 
out, “See this wild horse follow me.” 

He started round the pen with Ginger in close 
pursuit reaching for a mouthful, eating it, then 
hurrying after him for more. 

“I never seen anything like it,” called out Joe. “I 
didn’t think it could be done. Why if Young 
was to try that, he’d be killed. That horse has 
got ’em all buffaloed. If you are ever able to ride 
that outlaw they’ll all be jealous of you.” 

Lundgren spoke smilingly, “Now, Bud, I’ll tell 
you-all a secret, and don’t you tell anyone.” 

“Oh, shucks, I never tell the men anything. If 
I did, I’d sure get into trouble.” 

“Well, Joe, it is this: Before many weeks pass 
by, I’m going to ride your outlaw.” 


XIII 


On the Job 


When Morton awoke next morning, his first 
thoughts were of the girl. “Here I am, again, think¬ 
ing of her. I don’t know what to make of it. Is it 
possible that in coming up here to forget one woman, 

I shall fall in love with another? I must be getting 
fickle minded.” 

Then he hurried to get dressed, thinking of the busy 
day before him. When he came to breakfast three 
men were missing from the table. Young told him 
that two were not feeling well, and that he didn’t 
know where Kelly was. Said he had a girl up north 
that he went to see occasionally and sometimes didn’t 
get back till morning. 

While they were still talking Kelly came in, looking 
fatigued and sleepy. 

Young, with a wink at Lundgren, said “She must 
have kept you out all night, Kelly.” 

“Yes,” he answered pleasantly, “she just couldn’t 
bear to see me leave, and I’m so tender-hearted that I 
just stayed on.” 

As Lundgren left the dining-room he went directly 
to the bunk-house, where he found the two men who 
were unable for duty. Both were lying fast asleep 
with their clothes on. Going over to them he could 
smell liquor on them. Taking one by the shoulder he 
90 


ON THE JOB 91 

lifted him bodily from his bed. “Wake up! And get 
out!” 

The fellow could hardly stand, his body trembling 
with weakness from his night’s debauch. 

“You sure have been making a hog of yourself. Get 
busy and clean up that floor !” commanded Lundgren. 
“Then get your partner and all your belongings and 
get off the ranch just as quick as you can!” 

Going outside, he saw Young and calling to him, 
asked that these men be given their time and said that 
he would give them their checks. “I have just told 
them we didn’t need them any more and ordered them 
to leave as soon as possible.” 

“The hell you did,” blurted Young. 

“Wasn’t that the thing to do?” inquired Lundgren 
as he looked at him in something of surprise. 

The foreman seemed suddenly to remember to 
whom he was talking and replied, “Yes, I think you 
did about the right thing.” 

They then walked together to the office and when 
the pay checks were ready Lundgren said, “You may 
give these to the men, and I’ll take my bridle and 
saddle to the corral, and will soon be ready to go over 
the place with you.” 

For a short time Morton watched the men at the 
barn preparing for their work. Some had horses for 
the hay fields, some preparing to build fences, and still 
others were awaiting the foreman’s orders. Joe stood 
at a barn door hesitatingly, and Lundgren supposed 
Hunter had not been informed of the changed plans, 
but just then saw Young coming hurriedly to give 
the waiting men their assignments for the day. Then 


92 


BLACK ROCK RANCH 


he heard him call to Hunter, who was moving about, 
making believe he was at work. 

“I want you to take the grey team and hitch to a low 
wagon, and haul posts down to the south line fence 
today, and Joe, here, will look after things around the 
barn for a while.” This was spoken in a loud voice, 
then lowering his tone, spoke something more, that 
Lundgren could not understand, but heard Hunter’s 
comment, “That kid will have a h—1 of a time lookin’ 
after things here, but I don’t give a d—n what I do.” 

Young then came over to where Morton stood wait¬ 
ing for him, saying, “Now, I guess I’m ready to go. 
What horse do you want to ride?” 

“I’m not caring. I’ll take what you pick out for me. 
I’ll try anything once. How’s that roan?” having 
sized up this particular animal as being a bad one; 
“has he ever been ridden much?” 

“Yes,” answered Young, “he’s a good saddle horse, 
but does a hell of a lot of pitching to start with. He 
hasn’t been rode for over a month, but I guess you 
can stay on his back if you’re much of a rider.” 

“Haven’t done much riding for quite a spell. Think 
I’ll try the roan and just see if I’ve forgotten how.” 

“All right,” said Young, “just as you say.” With 
a knowing wink at one of the men who had come for 
a horse, he asked, “Want me to rope him for you?” 

“No,” answered Lundgren, “I reckon I can catch 
him,” and taking a riata from his saddle horn, went 
inside the corral and, taking his place in the center 
started the horses running around, and as the roan 
passed him, threw the rope over his head and when it 
had drawn taut the horse stopped short and stood 
trembling. 


ON THE JOB 


93 


“Been roped before old fellow,” said his captor. 

Young looked on with jealousy and the other man 
remarked to him, “Some buckaroo! Nice throw he 
made!” 

“Yes, but he’s goin’ to be fooled when he gets astride 
that horse, and if he stays on his back, he’s a pretty 
damn good rider! I don’t believe he’ll be able to do 
it. That’s the horse that threw West, and he’s never 
had a saddle on since.” 

By this time Lundgren had his horse ready and had 
coiled his riata again round the horn of his saddle. 

“Are you ready, Young?” 

“Yes, Joe has my horse out by the road.” 

“All right, then,” said Lundgren, “let down the 
bars.” And with the agility so natural to him, swung 
into the saddle. The horse gave a leap forward and 
with lowered head began bucking. Rearing, he came 
down stiff legged and suddenly lay down. His rider 
had been looking for just such a move as this, and 
had both feet on the ground, rein in one hand and hold¬ 
ing the horn of the saddle with the other. The roan 
regained his footing as quickly as he had gone down, 
but Lundgren was just as quickly in the saddle. Next 
he started on a run, stopped short, and again began 
the bucking act, but all this time Morton was on his 
guard against the tricks of an outlaw, else he must 
have been thrown to the ground. Suddenly the ani¬ 
mal gave up the battle, and walked away as quietly as 
anyone could wish, as if he had never entertained a 
thought other than the most innocent. 

As the two men rode away together, they saw the 
two fellows who had just been discharged, with their 
bundles on their backs, just leaving the bunk-house. 


94 


BLACK ROCK RANCH 


Young spoke, “I told those fellows we didn’t intend to 
have men around who couldn’t be depended upon, 
and that they were to get off the ranch and stay off. 
But in reality he had told them not to go far away, but 
to meet him that night, east of the grove. 

Lundgren, to all appearances, gave credence to 
what his companion had said, and replied, “I reckon 
you told them the truth, and from now on, whenever 
a man is off duty because of booze, we’ll just have to 
let him go.” 

As they came up to the cattle, they saw that they 
seemed to be in splendid condition, and Lundgren re¬ 
marked that they certainly looked as though they had 
had good care. Riding out among them he noticed 
there were quite a number that had not been branded, 
these being for the most part yearlings. During the 
inspection the two men had become separated, but 
came together at the other side when Lundgren in¬ 
quired as to the number of cattle there. 

‘'About four hundred,” was the reply. “The rest 
are at the Long Valley range.” 

“And I notice,” continued Lundgren, “that some of 
the yearlings haven’t been branded. How do you 
account for that?” 

Young hesitated, then said that at the time of the 
branding, the calves were in another pasture, and as 
they had been so busy with other work it had merely 
been neglected. 

“It seems,” said Lundgren, “that we need more 
riders. We want enough to keep everything attended 
to, and not work a hardship on anyone. How many 
men have you at Long Valley?” 

“Only four; I have had a hard time to get enough 


ON THE JOB 


95 


riders. They are very scarce, and now we are short 
two more. The fellows we let go this morning are 
both buckaroos. ,, 

“Well,” suggested Lundgren, “we will probably be 
able to get some more, and if you get a chance to 
take on any more, you better do so if they can deliver 
the goods. While we are out I would like to ride 
around the ranch, that I may get everything straight 
in my mind.” 

It was almost noon when they rode back to the 
corral. The new manager now had a fair conception 
of the arrangement of things about the place, a knowl¬ 
edge of different seedings of alfalfa fields, and a his¬ 
tory in general of the several plots of ground. As 
they dismounted, he told Young that some time during 
the present week he wished to go to the Long Valley 
Ranch, and that soon as possible the remainder of the 
young cattle should be branded, to which the foreman 
gave his sanction and promised to attend to it at 
once, having suddenly come into a co-operative mood. 

After turning his horse into the corral Lundgren 
was starting toward the house, when he heard Potter 
in a loud angry tone, pouring out a volley of oaths 
upon Joe. He ended his tirade with, “You think you 
are d—d smart since you beat a good man out of 
his job by telling lies on him.” 

At this Lundgren stepped up behind him, and said, 
“Potter, turn round and talk to a man of your size, 
and see what happens to you. I want to do a little 
bit of talking myself. I am in charge of Joe now, and 
I don’t feel I need any of your help. And if I 
ever again hear you using such abusive language to 
him as I have heard just now, I’ll certainly wipe up the 


96 


BLACK ROCK RANCH 


ground with a dirty piece of humanity.” Then turn¬ 
ing to the boy, he said, “Joe, you don’t have to take 
orders from him, and you attend strictly to your job, 
and don’t let anything like that bother you. And 
Potter, any time you don’t like the way this ranch is 
run, you can get your time and get off. D’ye Sabe? 

After the noon meal, the men had gathered, as was 
their custom, under the shade trees till time to go back 
to their work. The topic of conversation was of 
Lundgren and the roan. “He sure did get off some 
rodeo stunts,” spoke up one of them who had wit¬ 
nessed the grandstand play made by riding the buck¬ 
ing animal. 

“Yes,” said another, “we’ll have to take off our 
sombreros to His Royal Highness as a rider and all- 
’round broncho-buster. He’s been there before.” 

“Yes, he’s been there before,” ventured Potter, 
“that’s plain, but he’s no better performer than he 
thinks he is, and he wants everybody to think he knows 
more than he does.” 

One laughingly remarked, “Guess Potter must have 
been having a private interview with the boss, from 
the knowledge he seems to have of him.” 

“Well, I can tell when I see a man what kind of a 
fellow he is.” 

“Yes,” rejoined another, “we all know you are quite 
a phrenologist. Feel Red’s bumps and tell us what 
he would have been good for if he hadn’t been locoed.” 
And a general laugh followed. 

Lundgren sat in his room as he watched the men 
returning to their tasks. For some reason he felt de¬ 
pressed. He felt sure there was plotting being done 
against him and he might expect anything. Most of 


ON THE JOB 


97 


all he felt uneasy for Ruby’s safety. Soon there came 
into his mind the thought of his German police dog 
which he had brought from overseas. One of the 
finest of his breed he had been able to secure, he had 
sent him by express, to his boyhood friend in Texas, 
to care for until he should call for him. How he had 
enjoyed the companionship with the creature, a truly 
“one man” dog, that had made friends with him and 
would lie for hours on guard beside his master, head 
between his paws, and if anyone came near he gave 
a warning growl as if to say, “Don’t come a step 
nearer.” When his master said, “That’s all right, this 
is a friend of mine,” the dog would make no further 
protest nor molest the caller. 

“Wish I had told Jim to bring Hector with him. 
He and Ruby would be good friends, I am sure,” he 
thought. 


XIV 


Lundgren Rides Ginger, the Outlaw 

Everything at the ranch had been going along 
smoothly for the balance of the day. As Lundgren 
walked out of the house thinking to go and see Ginger, 
he made a circuit and came near a strong pen, where 
a vicious high-bred short-horn bull was confined. At 
sight of the man the animal began to bellow and paw 
the earth, and came rushing toward him with lowered 
head, and eyes bloodshot with rage. “I reckon that’s 
the critter that might accidentally get out of the pen 
when I was coming by, but I think he would be apt to 
accommodate the one that let down the bars.” 

He found the sorrel eating hay from his manger in 
a corner of the corral, so he went up to him and 
taking from his pocket a lump of sugar he had begged 
from Kim, the cook, said, as he held out his hand, 
“Come and have a try at something to sweeten up 
your disposition, and let me ride you without giving 
me any trouble.” Smelling the sugar, the horse began 
nibbling at it while Lundgren still held it in his hand. 
Rubbing the horse’s neck, he talked to him in endear¬ 
ing terms, put his arms over his back letting his weight 
rest upon him, and strangely enough Ginger seemed to 
enjoy it all the time. 

Picking up from the ground a short rope, he slowly 
slipped it round the horse’s neck, patting him gently 
as he did so. After tying the rope, he pulled lightly 
98 


LUNDGREN RIDES GINGER 


99 


on the end of it. The horse seemed to suspect some¬ 
thing, but more sugar was temptingly held out before 
him and he came up to take it. In about half an hour, 
Lundgren’s patience was rewarded by being allowed 
to lead the horse round the corral. 

Calling to Joe, who was at work near, he asked him 
to bring his saddle and bridle. Joe hastened to obey, 
but on coming back said, “I hate to see you try to 
ride that horse.” 

“Don’t get uneasy, Joe, I’m the one to be afraid.” 

Taking a lariat from his saddle, he put it around the 
animal’s head, untied the rope he had first used and 
fastened him with the stronger one securely to a solid 
post. Patting him with one hand, with the other he 
slipped the saddle on his back. Ginger gave a snort, 
and tried to jump from under it, but it was soon 
fastened, and Lundgren was at his head stroking the 
forelocks. Joe handed him the bridle which was 
put on without trouble. The horse began to tremble 
and back away from the fence, then loosening the rope 
Lundgren spoke soothingly, “Now, don’t you get 
scared, nothing is going to hurt you.” 

He had asked Joe to bring some green alfalfa 
which the horse nibbled and followed him about for 
more. Lundgren felt the worst was now over. He 
led him through the gate out into the open, then taking 
the stirrup in one hand he bore down upon it until a 
little weight came upon the saddle, and he felt at 
this time he might be able to mount. So gradually 
and quietly had this been done, that almost before the 
horse realized what was happening, the man was in the 
saddle ready for the battle for supremacy. Leaning 
forward he rubbed the horse’s neck, at the same time 


100 


BLACK ROCK RANCH 


talking quietly to him. Ginger shook his head, gave 
one jump forward, then stood quite still, seemingly 
mystified at his mild-mannered rider who was not 
goading him with cruel spurs. He was being urged 
only with gentle words and kindly pats, then a little 
slapping of the reins. Suddenly he made up his mind 
to go, and was off at full speed. 

At first Lundgren made no effort to check him, but 
4 gradually tightened the reins. He ran for a half hour 
at a speed Morton had never ridden before. As they 
were nearing a sharp bend in the road, he reined the 
horse in to slacken his speed, turned him to the left 
toward the mountains, where in climbing the steep 
grade he came down to a slow gallop then to a walk. 
Presently he brought him to a stop, then gently urged 
him to go forward. After a few miles of travel the 
horse was doing splendidly. Coming up to a small 
mountain stream, he dismounted, and gently patting 
the creature, allowed him to drink and graze a little 
while resting. When Lundgren was ready to resume 
his journey, he experienced no trouble in regaining 
his seat, and the animal seemed ready to do his bidding, 
and on the return trip he came by way of the trail to 
the home of the old mining engineer. 

As he rode into the clearing he saw the old man 
returning from the tunnel that led to his mine. At 
his approach Mr. Garrett came to meet him, and Lund¬ 
gren explained that he was out breaking a horse, and 
thought he would ride by and see how he was today. 

“I am surely glad to see you,” said the old man. 
“And you are breaking a saddle horse? I would say, 
from the little I know about horses, that you have a 
good one there—that is, if beauty has anything to do 


LUNDGREN RIDES GINGER 


101 


with the quality, for he is surely a handsome animal. 
But won’t you get down and chat a while?” 

“Thank you, I will rest the horse a few minutes. 
Besides, I would like to speak with you about a little 
matter concerning Miss Ruby.” 

He then related what Joe had told him, also of his 
suspicions in regard to Young’s complicity in the cattle 
thieving, and his hope of being able to catch him if 
guilty. 

The old engineer’s face grew pallid as he listened, 
and he said, “I knew Young had made some advances 
to Ruby, but I had no idea of anything so serious as 
that. The girl must be protected.” 

“Yes,” returned Lundgren, “that is our first duty, 
and I have asked Joe to keep a close watch on Young 
to see if he comes up this way, and he is to inform 
me if he does.” 

He then told of his dog which he had decided to 
send for, and would, if he made friends with her, 
protect her. 

“She makes friends with everything,” said the old 
man. “Last summer she tamed a fawn, that came 
down every day and would eat from her hand. I 
think your suggestion a good one, but Hunter should 
not know where she got the dog or he won’t allow 
her to keep him. Poor Ruby has had a hard life, Mr. 
Lundgren, and I am getting too old to look after her 
as I once did. If I could see her married to a good 
man, I could die happy.” 

“Well,” said Lundgren, “I see the sun is getting 
down over the ‘Deity’s Masterpiece.’ ” 

“I never heard that name used for the old sentinels,” 
said Mr. Garrett, “and it is surely very fitting.” 


102 


BLACK ROCK RANCH 


As they parted the old man expressed his thanks for 
the confidence, assuring Lundgren that he would be 
glad to have him come at any time. 

As Lundgren rode up to the ranch the men were 
coming in from their work. When they saw he was 
riding the outlaw, they gazed in wonderment. Pranc¬ 
ing proudly by with head held high, Ginger seemed 
to be showing to the men who had so abused him that 
he had at last found one whom he could trust and 
whom he was glad to serve. Joe stood by the corral 
and came to meet him with a beaming smile. Looking 
with almost reverence into Lundgren's face, he said, 
‘‘You can just do anything that others can't.” 

“Well, not everything, Joe; you can do some things 
that I cannot.” 

“What could that be?” queried the boy. 

Lowering his voice, he answered, “You can trail 
Young easier than I,” and they both smiled. “Bring 
me a brush, Joe, and I will rub this fellow down a little 
before he is turned into the corral.” 

Young came over to him, unable to conceal the 
malice in his heart, as he burst out with, “What in 
hell ever possessed you to ride that outlaw ?” And as 
he passed in front of them, the horse, with ears laid 
back and open mouth, started toward him. 

“Stand back, Young, he doesn’t like you, and may 
hurt you. He is no outlaw. I can soon have him do 
anything I want him to do. And, I don't want any¬ 
body handling him except myself.” 

“What did he do when you got astride?” 

“Nothing, much. Not anything like the roan did 
when I got on him. Going to be mighty easy riding 
when he’s thoroughly broken.” 


LUNDGREN RIDES GINGER 


103 


“Well, all I got to say is,” snarled Young, “that 
you’d better be d—d careful or you’ll get your bones 
broken first.” 

As Morton walked toward the house he was over¬ 
taken by Kelly who said in a low tone without looking 
up, “Congratulations on your horsemanship. To¬ 
night at the bridge.” 

As might be supposed, the men were all commenting 
on the latest feat performed with the outlaw horse. 
Toe was visibly exultant as he answered their inquiries 
when it was found he was an eyewitness, also express¬ 
ing a wish that they might all have had the same 
pleasure. “I just expected to see him dumped off the 
same as Young and the other fellows that tried it, but 
I don’t believe there is a horse living that he can't 
ride.” 


XV 


The Secret Meeting 

When eight o’clock had come, Lundgren feeling 
sure he was not observed left the house starting in an 
opposite direction from the grove. Making a detour he 
finally came to the spot selected, and sat down in a 
secluded place to await the appearance of Kelly. He 
could discern a faint light from the Hunter home¬ 
stead. “It surely must be lonely for that mountain 
rose,” he thought. “Wonder if, when next I see her, I 
will be affected as before. That feeling I had—is it 
pity or is it something stronger?” 

The waiting time grew so long that he began to fear 
Kelly was unable to keep his appointment, but soon 
heard him coming over the bridge. 

“Couldn’t get away sooner without attracting at¬ 
tention. It’s hardly dark enough tonight for a clandes¬ 
tine meeting. Mr. Lundgren, I am not just what I 
seem to be here—a cow-puncher. I have a friend who 
is a cattle man on the other side of these mountains 
who was like a father to me when we lived in Wyom¬ 
ing. A few years ago he came out here and settled 
on the ranch where he still lives, and for the last two 
years he has been missing his cattle, and although he 
has suspicions, he has never been able to catch the 
guilty parties in the act. So he sent for me to come 
out and help him to try to round them up. 

“This Young has a brother who controls a large 
104 


THE SECRET MEETING 


105 


tract of land not far from my friend’s ranch. Before 
I had been there two months I was out rather late one 
night; in fact, I was hiding in Young’s back yard hop¬ 
ing to find out something about the fifty head of young 
cattle that had mysteriously disappeared. All of a 
sudden I heard someone driving cattle up from the 
pasture, and a rider came up the road to the gate by 
the house and called, 'Hello.’ 

“Young came out from his house and answered, 
“Hello, I wasn’t expecting you so soon.” 

“I hadn’t intended to bring them just yet, but got 
afraid it was going to rain, and I couldn’t get through 
the pass. It’s hell at its best. Have you any to go 
back?” 

“He told him he had a small bunch he’d been hiding 
in the gully for a week but he hadn’t had a chance to 
brand them yet, that they were two years old and the 
next would be yearlings. He then called the boys in 
and set supper for his brother, and told them to get the 
horses fed and ready for the return trip with the cat¬ 
tle from the other side. I heard one of the men curs¬ 
ing because he had to start back that night. I didn’t 
get a good look at either of the men, but I really be¬ 
lieve they are the two fellows you discharged. Soon 
as I could with safety, I struck out and followed them. 
As it was moonlight, I could manage to keep them in 
sight. They got the cattle and started and I shadowed 
them. They drove them due east to the mouth of a 
small canyon, then I went back and gave an account to 
my friend of what I had seen. 

“Next morning I started out and trailed those cattle 
to Long Valley Ranch, to a pasture. I found out from 
a man there where Young belonged, then I came down 


106 


BLACK ROCK RANCH 


here and got a job. You know now why I am here, 
and I think we can help each other. Last Sunday I 
made a trip over to let Mr. Grey know how I was get¬ 
ting along. You have here more than a hundred head 
of nice yearlings, not branded, and I think they mean 
to slip them over there and put their brand on them 
then rustle some more from there, and transfer them 
to this valley. What I would like, is to catch them 
in the act and send them over the road for about 
twenty years/’ 

“Well,” said Lundgren, gravely, '‘I reckon you-all 
have thrown some light on the situation. There will 
be another man here in a short time that can always 
be depended on. But I think we must go now, or our 
absence might be noticed.” 

They were starting to leave the place, when Lund¬ 
gren suddenly put out his hand to stay Kelly. Hearing 
approaching footsteps they slipped back into the 
shadow of the trees. They easily recognized Young, 
but were unable to tell who his two companions were. 
Young began, “Now fellows, we’ve got to work this 
thing out smooth or that new manager will get us. 
They can say what they please, but he’s no fool. I 
tell you he’s a real gun-man, and an all-’round cow¬ 
man. Went through the herd and the first thing he 
asked me was why those yearlings hadn’t been branded, 
and I had to think up a lie in a hurry. Then this after¬ 
noon, to get a send-off with the men, he rode that 
outlaw.” 

This surprised his hearers and one broke in with, 
“The h—1 he did! I’d like to know how he done it. 
I tried him once at the Rodeo, and he’s the toughest 
thing I ever tried to ride. Got me off in a hurry.” 


THE SECRET MEETING 


107 


“How’d he do it?” repeated Young. “Just like he 
does everything else, by fool’s luck. I give him the 
roan to ride, but he didn’t get dumped like I felt sure 
he would, and if we don’t get him some way, we’ll have 
to get out of this cattle game. Potter thought there 
might be an 'accident’ on the ranch, but things are 
gettin’ so darned religious! It ain’t like it used to be. 
Time was when, if you wanted a fellow out of the 
way, you just put him out of the way. But now you 
have to be a little careful.” 

One spoke, “I’d like to be the one to get him.” 

Young resumed, “I think we can get a bunch of the 
yearlings through before very long, and we’ll let 
things ride a while just as they are. I’ll make him 
think everything is on the square, and not let him get 
suspicious, and you fellows be ready to meet me here 
whenever I let you know.” Then they hurried away. 

Lundgren said to Kelly, “We have something to 
sleep over. Things are shaping up sooner than I an¬ 
ticipated. 


XVI 


The S. O. S. Call Answered 

A few weeks had elapsed since the secret meeting, 
and everything had been going along nicely. The 
work had made satisfactory progress, and Young's 
behavior was so exemplary that had Lundgren known 
it was for effect, he would have felt that he had 
misjudged the man. Morton had ridden the sorrel a 
short distance almost every day, experiencing no 
trouble whatever in doing so, and the horse seemed to 
have accepted it as a matter of course that this was to 
be a daily occurrence, and had proved that his en¬ 
durance could be depended upon. 

One morning as he was returning from a little ride, 
the stage drew up, and a man of medium height and 
rather stockily built stepped to the ground. He carried 
a roll of bedding and looked toward the horse as 
though much attracted by his appearance, yet took no 
recognition of the rider. After a thorough inspection 
he inquired, “Do you want to sell that horse? I rather 
like the looks of him," then looked up into Lundgren's 
face with a smile. 

Lundgren dismounted hurriedly, but for fear of 
being seen, refrained from the hearty hand-grasp he so 
longed to give the stranger, and said, “We have to be 
careful you know, to not seem to be acquainted. I 
was looking for you. I knew you would come when I 
wrote for you. It does look good to see you." 

108 


THE S. O. S. CALL ANSWERED 109 


“I thought it must be important,” said Jim, “so I 
picked up soon as I could, and hit the trail, and the 
train couldn’t get me here quick enough to suit me.” 

Morton directed him to one of the cottages and 
promised to follow as soon as he could put his horse 
away. As they sat and talked Jim asked, “Morton, 
whatever brought you up here into this country?” 

“Now that is a long story, pard, but when you have 
told me how everything is down Texas way, I'll tell 
you something about it and go into details later.” 

“Well, Texas is changed some. Your old ranch is 
nothing but oil derricks now. And had you heard that 
Arnold lost all his property some time ago?” 

“No, Jim, I hadn’t. And how is she taking it?” 

“Oh, she’s all upset about it, of course. Serves her 
right, though, as I see it.” 

“Don’t say that, Jim. She had a perfect right to 
marry him if he was her choice.” 

“Morton, you remember I told you when you first 
met her, that she was out for the golden eagle. She 
was never worthy of you, and I never saw you fooled 
before. I remember in the High School how some of 
the girls tried to rope you, but you couldn’t be bull¬ 
dozed by ’em. That old saying is true, ‘love is blind,’ 
and I hope you are coming to yourself again after that 
affair, because you are far better off without her than 
to have married her and found her out afterwards.” 

“I guess you are right, Jim, but it was hard to 
give her up, and that is why I have come up here to 
try to forget her, and have succeeded to a certain ex¬ 
tent. And I can see, now, that I should not have felt 
so disgraced over the affair; but let’s drop that subject 
now and I will explain why I sent for you. 


110 


BLACK ROCK RANCH 


“In the first place I wanted you with me; and in the 
second place I needed your help to work out some hard 
problems. After I was mustered out of service, I was 
a guest in the home of a pal of mine, and while in 
that town I met the man who owns this ranch, and he 
told me of cattle-rustling among his herd, and of his 
suspicions that some of the men on the place were im¬ 
plicated in it. He wanted a man to come and 
straighten out matters here and I was willing to 
undertake it, as I had been hearing about this valley, 
and wanted to see it. It is plain that Young, the fore¬ 
man, is leader in the business, as Mr. Winterton had 
half believed, and has gathered about him a hard lot 
of fellows. What we want is to catch them in the act, 
and when we get this bunch where they belong, this 
valley will be a fit place to live in. It’s a wonderful 
valley, Jim. Those old sentinels at the west, standing 
guard over us. I call them the ‘Masterpiece of the 
Deity.’ ” 

“I see you are still poetic, Morton.” 

Lundgren then advised him to hunt up Young, and 
ask for a job as rider, and urged him to maintain at all 
times a strict secrecy as to their former acquaintance, 
but to mingle with the men and find out all he could. 
Also he recommended to him Kelly, as one whom he 
could trust, and suggested that a certain bay horse in 
the pasture might be best for him to select as a saddle- 
horse, one that seemed good for long, hard trips if 
necessary, and said, jokingly, “The sorrel you admired 
so much might buck you off.” 

Jim said, “Oh, I ’most forgot to tell you that you 
have a dog at the express office.” 

“Oh, I’m certainly glad you brought Hector. I 


THE S. O. S. CALL ANSWERED 111 


want him for a friend of mine; but don’t mention to 
anyone that I have the dog.” 

“Your friend,” said Jim with a quizzical smile, 
“may not be greatly pleased with such a dog. He 
has never entirely made up with me, and everybody 
else is afraid of him. He surely pined for you all the 
time he has been with me.” 

Lundgren then described in detail all that had taken 
place since he came to the ranch. 

Jim asked if he carried his gun. 

“Never without it,” was the reply. 

Jim continued with, “Do you realize what danger 
you are in? And do you think it worth the risk?” 

“Yes,” answered Lundgren seriously, “I fully 
realize the gravity of the situation, but whether it is 
worth it, is not the issue; because I am in it, and can¬ 
not get out of it till the job is finished. I see Young 
now, and I will call him and tell him you want to see 
him.” 

He beckoned to Young who came directly to the 
porch where Jim sat, and explained that this man 
would like a job as rider. 

Looking him over, Young asked if he had had ex¬ 
perience. 

“Considerable,” was the reply. 

He then asked for references, but the answer was, 
“Can’t furnish any references, but I can handle a job 
of riding without any.” 

At this Lundgren suggested, “We should require 
references, but as we are needing more men, perhaps 
you’d better try this one out. And I want to say that 
some time ago Mr. Young discharged a couple of men 


112 


BLACK ROCK RANCH 


who were in the habit of drinking so much home-brew 
that they couldn’t attend to their work.” 

“Well,” said Jim, “you must be a very pious set 
here, but maybe I can stand it a while, as I need a 
few dollars to help me on my way.” 

“Come over to the bunk-house,” said Young, and 
I’ll show you where to roll in.” 

As Jim put down his bedding he remarked, “You 
fellows must be a sort of Sunday-school outfit.” 

Young laughed carelessly as he said, “It wasn’t me 
that fired the two men. It was the Deacon of the 
Ranch. I don’t give a damn how much you drink, just 
so I get my share. He’s trying some new reforms, and 
he’s goin’ to have a hell of a time a-doin it. 

“It don’t look just right,” said Jim, “to not let a 
man have his beverage once in a while.” 

“Oh, that’s all right, just so you don’t let 'His Royal 
Highness’ find it out. That’s the name some of the 
fellows call him. He hasn’t been here very long.” 

“Who is he, anyway?” asked Jim. “I would judge 
he’s some sort of a tenderfoot.” 

“That’s where you are fooled. I thought that at 
first, but he knows the cattle game all right. Can 
handle the rope, is the best rider I ever saw, and the 
biggest fool on top of it all. He has the knack of 
gettin’ the men sore at him, then I have a rotten time 
to get ’em to stay on the job. 

“After dinner I’ll show you the horses, and you 
can take your pick of what’s left in the pasture. I 
must go now. When you hear the bell you’ll know 
that chuck is ready.” 


XVII 


Ruby Is Given Protection 

As Young passed the office Lundgren called 
to him to ask if the ranch car would be in use that 
afternoon, as he wanted to drive it to the station. 
The car referred to was a Ford made over into a 
sort of delivery car, used to carry ranch supplies. 

After the noon meal Lundgren, after much 
cranking, had succeeded in getting the car started 
just as Jim and the foreman were coming from 
the dining hall together, when the latter burst 
out with, “Wonder what that fool is up to now? 
Never can tell what’s in his mind. I never saw 
such a fellow. I like a man that’ll talk things 
over once in a while.” 

“That’s me, pardner,” returned Jim. “I’m always 
shootin’ off my mouth. It may get me into 
trouble sometime, though.” 

“That’s not as apt to get you into trouble as 
when you keep your mouth shut too much.” 

Going directly to the station, Morton jumped 
out of the car and when passing round the cor¬ 
ner of the building, heard first a whine then a 
joyous bark. He ran to the crate, and called out, 
“Hello, there, Hector. What are you-all so 
happy about? I’m sure glad to see you, old 
fellow!” The dog evidenced his love for his 
master, and could scarcely wait to be liberated 
113 


114 BLACK ROCK RANCH 

from his prison. As Morton started away to find 
the agent, the dog began to whine most piteously, 
fearing his beloved master was going to forsake 
him. The two men came together to the crate, 
and at sight of the stranger the great beast 
gave a most vicious growl, which so intimidated 
the man that he decided to repair to a safe 
position and stood looking out the window until 
Lundgren had the dog released. When freed, the 
joy of the great creature knew no bounds. Stand¬ 
ing on his hind feet, his forepaws rested against 
his master, while he fondly licked his hands. 
Then, bounding away a few steps, he would re¬ 
turn to bestow still more affection upon his old 
friend. 

As Lundgren started for the car, Hector fol¬ 
lowed still manifesting great joy and bounded 
into the seat beside his master. 

When they had driven to within a mile of the 
ranch, he turned from the main road into one 
that led toward the mountain. “Now, Hector, 
I am going to take you to some friends of mine, 
and you are to see that nothing harms them. 
I’m sure you will like your mistress.” 

Before they had reached the Garrett cottage, 
he allowed Hector to drink from the cool moun¬ 
tain stream. 

Soon, in driving round a sharp turn in the 
road, he came face to face with Ruby. He 
brought the car to a stop so suddenly that Hector 
was almost thrown from his seat. The girl stood 
hesitating until Lundgren addressed her. She 


RUBY IS GIVEN PROTECTION 115 


wondered why her heart commenced beating so 
rapidly. 

“Good afternoon, Miss Hunter. I hadn’t ex¬ 
pected to meet you-all here so sudden-like.” 

“I am glad to see you,” she said, “I was want¬ 
ing to have a talk with you. I have just been 
over to see how Uncle Garry was, and just hap¬ 
pened to come back by wagon trail thinking it 
would do me good to have a little more time for 
my thoughts.” 

“Well,” answered Lundgren, “I am glad of this 
chance meeting, I wanted to have a little talk 
with you.” 

He then stepped out of the machine saying he 
wanted her to meet his friend Hector, also ex¬ 
plaining that the dog had never shown friendship 
for a stranger. All this time Hector had kept 
his eyes fixed upon the girl, but lay quite still 
in the seat until his master called to him to come 
down. 

Ruby’s face beamed with pleasure at sight of 
the massive form, and she cried out, “Oh, what 
a beautiful creature! His eyes show so much 
intelligence. Where did you get him? May I 
pet him?” 

“Proceed very slowly,” cautioned Lundgren. 
“He is a one-man dog and very cautious about 
forming new friendships. He was a Belgian war- 
dog, and I brought him from overseas.” 

Hector had lain down beside Lundgren, head 
between his paws, awaiting further commands. 
Asking Ruby to stand quite still, Lundgren spoke 
to the dog. “Hector, this is a friend of mine,” 


116 


BLACK ROCK RANCH 


and he placed his hands on the girl’s arm. Hector 
came over and sniffed at her clothing, then in 
obedience to his master lay down close to her feet. 

Lundgren stooped to pat his head, and told 
Ruby she might also stroke him if she wished. 
She seemed devoid of fear, and said, “Oh, I’d 
love to pet him.” 

Lundgren then told him he might get up, and 
he jumped up to his master, manifesting much 
pleasure and satisfaction at having done as he 
was bidden. 

“He is a dangerous dog for one whom he dis¬ 
likes, but once your friend he is a faithful pro¬ 
tector. Call him to you, Miss Hunter, and if 
he comes, you are safe.” 

“Come here, Hector, come you lovely dog.” 

At a nod of permission from his master he went 
over to her, wagging his tail, seeming perfectly 
confident that all was right. 

“Now that you two are friends, you may de¬ 
pend upon him. But you spoke of wishing to 
talk with me.” 

“Yes, Mr. Lundgren, but I hardly know how 
to begin.” As she spoke, he noticed she was 
trembling from head to foot, evidently very much 
excited and he spoke soothingly, 

“Well, now, I reckon you-all may just tell it in 
your own way, and I will understand.” 

“Oh, I know I can trust you, or I would not 
be speaking to you in this way. Uncle Garrett 
has told me of his conversation with you when 
you were there last, so I want your advice. I 
want you to believe me when I tell you that I 


RUBY IS GIVEN PROTECTION 117 


have never given Young cause, or rather en¬ 
couragement to show me any attentions what¬ 
ever; and Mr. Lundgren, I don’t know the ways 
of the world, and no one has ever taught me 
except Mr. and Mrs. Garrett.” 

Tears welled from her eyes and at times her 
voice was choked as she went on with her story. 
“I can just remember my father and mother and 
of how kind and affectionate they were. It 
seems to me my mother was a very beautiful 
woman. I remember being in large crowds, and 
my father and mother entertaining with their 
violins, and our going from place to place. One 
incident is so plain in my mind yet: We had 
walked and walked one cold day, and it was 
growing dark and we saw a lighted house and 
my father asked if we might come in. We were 
allowed to warm ourselves by that nice fire and 
were shown to such a lovely room to sleep. A 
kind man held me on his knee before the fire and 
talked to me. But the memory of my parents 
is almost like a happy dream. We had moved 
about so much until we came here. How I love 
these wonderful mountains! And how I have 
loved the Garretts! My own parents could not 
have been kinder to me than they have been, and 
now that Uncle is left alone, I feel I must care 
for him as if he were my own father, for they 
gave me the only happiness I ever had. And now, 
Young. Oh, how I hate that man! In some way 
he has such a hold on this man with whom I am 
compelled to make my home, that I cannot expect 
any help from him, and his wife is even afraid 


118 


BLACK ROCK RANCH 


to express her opinion on some things. I am 
really afraid, now, to go out from the place alone 
for fear of meeting Young. All the joy has gone 
out of my life and it will seem unbearable if I 
have to stay penned up in that old house. 

At this she broke down completely and gave 
way to a flood of tears. Lundgren longed to 
take her in his arms and try to comfort her, but 
refrained from doing so, knowing she would resent 
such familiarity. Instead he placed his hand 
gently on her shoulder and said, “Now, you-all 
must not give up in despair like this. I promise 
you that all will come out right in a short time. 

I will try to prevent Young from giving you any 
further trouble. I am going to tell you a secret 
which must be sacredly kept. I hope to land 
that fellow in jail for cattle-stealing, but in the 
meantime I’m going to leave this dog with you 
as a protector. If Young ever molests you when 
Hector is around, he will just kill him if you 
don’t call him off.” 

She looked up quickly and asked, “Do you 
really mean that you will let me keep him?” 

“Yes, if you-all will accept him.” 

For a few minutes the girl seemed lost in 
thought, then as she looked searchingly into his 
face, inquired why he was doing this. 

Morton, now, for the first time, understood the 
real reason, that his love for her had prompted 
his action, but his answer to her was that he did 
not need the dog at the ranch and thought since 
she needed protection she would better have him. 

Brightening, she said, “Mr. Lundgren, I do 


RUBY IS GIVEN PROTECTION 119 


thank you, and will accept him as a loan for a 
while. He will be so much company for me, 
whether I need a bodyguard or not.” 

“I think it will be better for Mr. Garrett to 
give him to you, than that it be known he came 
from me.” 

“Oh, surely, that will be better,” replied she. 
“Come here, Hector,” and the dog came instantly 
to her. Throwing her arms around his neck she 
buried her face in his shiny coat. “Oh, how I 
love you, you beauty. How can you part with 
him, Mr. Lundgren?” 

“I would rather you had him now, and some¬ 
times I will come to visit him and you too, if 
you don’t object.” 

“I will be glad, but I must know when you 
are coming, and will meet you at Uncle Garrett’s.” 

“Very well, I will call there on Sunday after¬ 
noons when I come over.” 

“That will be splendid. Uncle gave me a field 
glass and with that I can see you leave the ranch 
and can be up there before you.” 

“I must say good-by, now, until Sunday after¬ 
noon. If you will lead Hector up to Mr. Garrett 
and explain, I am sure he will give him to you.” 
And fastening a leash to the dog’s collar, he 
patted his head saying, “Now, you must be kind 
to your new mistress, and take good care of her.” 

He watched them start back over the trail she 
had come over, only a few minutes ago, until 
they were lost from his sight hidden by a bend 
in the road. Then as he started back toward the 
ranch, he said reverently as he cast his eyes 
heavenward, “God bless and keep her.” 


XVIII 


An Encounter 

Lundgren sat in his room that night pondering 
over the events of the afternoon, and of how 
great changes can come into one’s life in so short 
a time; thinking too, of how he had come to the 
ranch to get away from women and forget the 
one he thought he had loved, only to find him¬ 
self fallen into a deeper, different love with this 
mountain girl. Then like a flash, a new thought 
came into his mind and he rose and walked the 
floor in deep meditation. Half aloud he said, “It 
can’t be true, though truth is stranger than fic¬ 
tion. I remember now, where I heard that name. 
Ruby! Ruby Ross? No, Ruby Rossi! Now I 
have it. There was no way to identify her except 
by a locket containing her mother’s picture.” 

He pondered for a long time over this probable 
discovery of the long-lost orphan of whom he had 
heard so interesting an account shortly before 
coming to the valley. Finding that the hour 
was late, he prepared for the night’s repose. 

Next morning he had an opportunity for a few 
words with Jim, who assured him everything 
was coming along fine, that the bay saddle horse, 
he felt sure, was going to fill the bill. Continuing, 
he said, “I think Young is going to make a cattle- 
rustler of me. I got your pedigree from him all 
120 


AN ENCOUNTER 


121 


right. He thinks you’re some bird; but adios, I 
haven’t got time to fool with you,” and he went 
away laughing. 

“Same old Jim,” commented Lundgren, smiling 
to himself. He went then, to find Joe, who just 
at this time was sweeping out the barn. 

“Fine, Joe! You’re getting things all spruced 
up here, and I’ll tell you it looks great. I stopped 
to tell you that I have ordered a runabout from 
the city which ought to be here soon, and prob¬ 
ably by next Sunday we can take a spin.” 

“I hate to miss that ride, but I can’t go with 
you Sunday,” 

“How’s that, Joe?” 

“Don’t you remember, I have to be on Young’s 
trail.” 

“That’s so. We’ll have to go on Saturday, 
instead.” 

After finishing his talk with Joe, Lundgren 
got out his saddle-horse and rode away toward a 
settlement to the south. He saw Young and 
another man in one of the fields near the road 
as he passed, and waved his hand in recognition. 
The foreman returned the salutation, then to his 
companion said, “I just wonder where that dam- 
fool is going now?” 

Ginger was in fine spirits and his rider let him 
out on the gait that suited the horse best. In a 
short time he drew up in front of a modest cot¬ 
tage on a small ranch. Seeing the owner caring 
for hogs in a lot near the barn, he rode out to 
him and throwing the rein over the horse’s head, 


122 


BLACK ROCK RANCH 


dismounted, and extending his hand said, “Well, 
Mr. Wilson, how are you?” 

Wilson looked intently for an instant, then 
grasped the outstretched hand in warm greeting. 
“Hardly recognized you at first, I am all O. K., 
but so far behind with my work I feel like I’d 
never get caught up. See them posts there? 
Well, I’ll plant them Christmas day.” 

“But why Christmas day?” inquired the visitor. 

“Well, it’s just this way. I intend to plant them 
tomorrow, but if the future is anything like the 
past, it will be Christmas before I get it done. 
But here I am, doin’ all the talkin’. My wife 
says I always do that, but I tell her she says that 
because she wants to do it all herself. I haven’t 
seen you since we came up on the train together. 
That trip set me back terribly with my work. 
Well, how are you liking the Valley by this time?” 

“Just fine,” was the reply. “Well enough, I 
think, to make it my future home.” 

“That’s good news. And how is Young doing? 
How does he enjoy takin’ orders from another 
man? I understand you had to give him a beatin’ 
up before the men, to let him know who was 
runnin’ things. But,” lowering his voice, “I 
don’t suppose you’ve found out who’s stealin’ 
the cattle?” 

“Yes,” returned Lundgren, “I have found out 
some things, and you-all asked me to call on you 
when I needed help. I don’t know just when, but 
you hold yourself in readiness. And another thing 
I wanted to ask you. Did you ever know a man 
named Pauly? Louis Pauly?” 


AN ENCOUNTER 


123 


“Sure, I knew him, I always bought his cattle. 
He and his wife died with the flu and left a boy 
named Joe.” 

“Yes,” said Lundgren, “and Joe is at the Black 
Rock Ranch.” 

“You don’t say! I had lost track of the boy.” 

“Can you tell me, Mr. Wilson, anything of 
Pauly’s financial affairs?” 

“Not very much, I’d say he was fairly well 
fixed. I think he owned a quarter section, one 
eighty of which was grazing land. It is quite 
near your upper ranch. I can find out all 
about it.” 

“I wish you would, Mr. Wilson, and see if the 
land has changed ownership, and let me know.” 

“Sure I will,” promised Wilson, “and you sure 
interest me when you say you have found out 
something in regard to the cattle rustling.” 

“I am sure you are interested, but I want to 
catch him in the act before I accuse anyone. But 
I’ll give you a chance to be in at the finish, all 
right. Ride around to the ranch some time.” 

“I’ll do that, Mr. Lundgren, if I ever get caught 
up with my work.” 

As Lundgren rode into the barn lot at the 
ranch, he noticed a man at the bull pen working 
with a hammer at the gate. Observing more 
closely, he recognized him as the man who had 
been with Young in the field earlier in the day. 
The bull was bellowing threateningly and pawing 
the earth. After turning his horse into the corral 
he was walking across the lot toward the house, 
when he heard the splintering of timbers, and 


124 


BLACK ROCK RANCH 


turning, had just time to step to one side and 
dodge the maddened monster. With a bellow of 
rage, he turned on Lundgren, who at this time 
was in such a position that there was no escape, 
when like a flash, two pistol shots rang out on 
the air, and the vicious brute fell at his feet, 
dead. Lundgren’s face was ashen and his lips 
compressed as he went to find the workman, and 
asked him how the animal happened to be out¬ 
side his enclosure. 

He answered guiltily, “I was fixing the gate 
when he came at me and broke out and saw you.” 

“Yes, I realize he saw me, and you take that 
for your carelessness,” and he struck the culprit 
with such force on the jaw as to knock him down, 
where Lundgren left him and walked on to the 
office saying to himself, “Fooled again, Mr. 
Young. But if I hadn’t been forewarned, it might 
have been different. I hated to kill a good animal 
though.” 

Anyone at table during that noon meal would 
never have guessed that anything unusual had 
happened to Lundgren. Young seemed somewhat 
restless and one man was missing who might have 
been found at the bunk-house nursing a swollen 
face and bemoaning the loss of a tooth. As 
Lundgren was leaving the dining hall, he spoke 
to Young, saying, “I just killed that vicious bull. 
Have the carcass disposed of, and before you put 
another in there, see that the gate won’t need 
mending for a while.” 

The next evening as the men were going in to 
supper, a stranger drove into the yard with a 


AN ENCOUNTER 


125 


brand-new roadster, a high-grade model of hand¬ 
some design. Stopping the car, he left the engine 
running as he inquired for Mr. Lundgren. Being 
directed to his room, he went at once to find 
him, while the men all stood admiring the new 
car. 

“The guy that owns that has sure got to have 
some dough.” 

“Can’t hardly hear that durned engine.” 

“How would you like to have it, Red? It 
would be good for your rheumatism. Better 
buy it.” 

When they saw the two coming together 
toward the machine, the men went on into the 
dining hall. Young spoke to the one beside him. 

“Wonder what that fellow wants with Lund¬ 
gren?” Lowering his voice he said, “Don’t that 
bull deal beat hell?” 

Just at this time Lundgren came in followed 
by the stranger, and they seated themselves at 
the table. 

During the meal the two were discussing the 
car, when the agent said to Lundgren that the 
batteries should be looked after soon, and that 
care should be taken not to exceed a speed of 
twenty-five miles for the first thousand miles, 
and continued with comments on the merits of 
the machine, concluding with, “a very high- 
powered car can make faster time, if properly 
broken in, than you will care to ride—seventy-five 
or eighty per.” 

The men could scarcely conceal their surprise 
at learning that the new roadster belonged to 


126 


BLACK ROCK RANCH 


Lundgren, for no one except Joe had had an 
inkling of his placing an order. 

After the meal was finished Lundgren prepared 
to drive the salesman to the station in time for 
the outgoing train to the city, and of course Joe 
felt elated over being invited to accompany him. 

Soon the three were seated in the car with the 
new owner at the wheel. As they went down the 
driveway toward the highway, the boy could 
not refrain from waving a farewell to the men 
who stood watching them. 

Young looked after them until they were out 
of sight, then remarked to Jim, “Why did he 
buy a car like that? If he had to have a car, 
a ‘Henry’ would have been good enough. His 
new job has sure give him the swell-head all 
right.” 


XIX 


Love’s Confession 

When she had gotten out of sight of Lundgren, 
having heard him drive back toward the ranch, Ruby 
sat down on a stone beside the road, while the dog 
came up to her and put out his paw in the most 
friendly fashion. 

‘‘Oh, you dear, dear old fellow! How I do love you 
already, and I am going to tell you everything and I 
believe you will understand. Wasn’t he the dearest to 
give you to me ? And do you know I love your master, 
but he shall never know it, for he has always been 
with different people from what I have, and if he 
should marry me, he would be ashamed to take me 
to see his relatives; but anyway, he would never ask 
me to marry him. My Hector, I would be willing to 
die for him, I love him so.” As she spoke, she stroked 
the dog’s head. “We must be going on now.” 

Mr. Garrett saw her coming toward the house, and 
went out to meet her. 

“What brought my wild flower back so soon?” he 
asked with tenderness. And as he espied the dog, 
“What have we here?” 

“Oh, Uncle, isn’t he the most beautiful creature you 
ever saw? And he made friends with me in just a 
little while.” 

As the old man advanced toward them, the dog 
uttered an ugly warning growl, when Ruby, placing 
127 


128 


BLACK ROCK RANCH 


her hand on his head said, “There, now, that’s all right, 
Hector.” Then she proceeded to relate what she 
had learned of him from his master. 

“But, you haven’t told me yet, where you got him,” 
said Mr. Garrett, who wished to hear her story as 
though he had never heard of the dog. 

She then told him of the chance meeting in the 
wagon road below the cottage, and that Mr. Lund- 
gren had told her she might ask him for possession of 
the dog. The old man readily gave his consent for her 
to take him, but asked why she wanted him. 

“For company and for protection. Mr. Lundgren 
says if anyone should molest me this dog will just kill 
him if I don’t call him off. So I shall feel safer when 
I have him with me, when I come up here to see you; 
and if Young ever bothers me again, I’ll let Hector 
take care of him.” 

“Well now, I wouldn’t set him on anyone unless 
it was really necessary,” and with a searching look into 
her face he said, “I see my girl has been crying.” 

“Oh, I didn’t want you to know that, Uncle, but 
I just couldn’t help it. I know it shows weakness.” 

“Not always, child,” interrupted the old man. 
“When one is in trouble it is good, sometimes, to cry 
over it; but you must tell me what it was about.” 

“I had been thinking of how I have to live, then I 
met Mr. Lundgren, and was telling him about it, for 
I wanted him to know that I had never given Young 
any encouragement to make any advances to me. But 
here comes the hard part, Uncle, to tell you, even. 
I love Mr. Lundgren. I have never loved before, and 
to think that I will have to go through life without any 
return of his love!” 


LOVE’S CONFESSION 


129 


"And why should you think that?” he asked. 

"Why, Uncle, you surely know that already. Look 
at me! The way I have grown up. I know nothing of 
his world.” 

"That’s all true, but here you have grown up with 
the bloom of health upon your cheek among these 
old sentinels which are ever an incentive to be good 
and to do good, and that counts most after all. I 
could never love more tenderly a child of my own, than 
I love you; and if you were my own child would you 
feel you were his equal?” 

"To be sure I would,” she replied. "And as far as 
parentage goes, I would be his equal.” 

"Well, then, I want you to dismiss the unhappy 
thoughts, for if he loved you and would allow that to 
bar you from him, he is unworthy of you, and you 
should forget him; but child, if I am any judge of men, 
he is not so small as that. I also believe he is very 
much interested in you, and if this feeling is mutual it 
would be very wrong for you two to go through life 
unhappy when your lives should be blissfully united.” 

"But Uncle, why do you think he cares for me ?” 

"Oh, that is a secret of mine,” he answered smil¬ 
ingly. "But don’t you worry. If happiness comes to 
you through the love of a good man, don’t turn it 
away, for that is God’s plan.” 

During this conversation, Hector lay with his head 
between his paws closely scrutinizing the old man. 

"I must go now, Uncle Garry, and I thank you for 
what you have told me, and I am so glad to confide in 
you.” 

On the way home she kept asking herself the ques¬ 
tion: "Can it be possible that Uncle is right?” 


130 


BLACK ROCK RANCH 


Arriving at her home, she tied Hector to a cotton¬ 
wood tree that stood next to the small one-room lean-to 
annex, the one thing she could claim as her own. With 
her arms affectionately about the dog’s neck, she 
whispered in his ear, “You won’t ever tell, will you, old 
fellow?” And in reply he began to lick her face be¬ 
fore she realized what he was doing. 

“Now you stay right here, and you shall have a nice, 
nice supper, and then tonight you may stay inside with 
me for company.” 

After retiring, Ruby had a feeling of security from 
that despised suitor, for she was sure she had a pro¬ 
tector, and she reached from her bed to stroke Hec¬ 
tor’s head as he lay curled up on an old rug. 

Her dreams that night were happy ones, in which 
the man she loved was the central figure. 

“The only thing I don’t like about this car, Mr. 
Lundgren, is that it gets you there too soon,” said Joe 
as they drew up to the station. 

When they had seen the train depart with the sales¬ 
man aboard, they went at once to the machine, and 
Lundgren asked Joe if he would like to take a longer 
ride. 

“I want to drive up to Mr. Garrett’s, and those steep 
grades will be a good try-out for the car.” 

Of course the boy was delighted with the prospect 
and said he could ride all night. 

As they rode along, Lundgren, observing his unusu¬ 
ally quiet manner, inquired as to the cause. 

“I just don’t know,” returned Joe, “unless it’s be¬ 
cause I am so contented. Why, really, it seems like 
another world since you came here. Young would 


LOVE’S CONFESSION 


131 


never have taken me for a ride if he had forty autos, 
and I don’t think I’d have wanted to go if he had 
asked me.” 

“Joe,” said Lundgren, “I have been thinking the last 
few days, that you ought to go to school this next fall. 
Get an education, and no one can take that from you.” 

The boy spoke earnestly in reply, “That’s the one 
thing I want more than any other, but I can’t go; I 
haven’t the money.” 

“Well, now, Joe, if you-all have set your heart on 
an education, I reckon that part can be arranged. You 
can go, and when you have the money you may return 
it to me.” 

“I’ll be glad to do just what you think I ought to, 
and if you say go, I’ll sure try my best to make the 
kind of a man you’d like to have me be.” 

“Well, Joe, I would have you first of all be a good 
man, the kind of man people can trust; a man who 
values his name above riches, for the wisest man said, 
‘a good name is rather to be chosen than great riches’; 
a decent man, because it pays to be decent; and always 
have reverence for the Almighty, for He rules our 
destiny.” 

They were now coming to the steepest grade of the 
trip, and Lundgren asked, “Do you suppose we can 
make it in high?” He increased the speed and fuel 
supply and the car bounded forward like a thing of 
life, making the sharp climb with apparently very 
little effort. “Well, boy, that was made easier than 
with any other car I have ever driven.” 

As they came up to the Garrett home Lundgren said, 
“You may wait in the car here, and I’ll go to have a 


132 


BLACK ROCK RANCH 


little talk with Mr. Garrett”; and he left the boy to 
dream of an education in his new world. 

“Back again, Mr. Garrett. Who comes oftener 
than I?” 

“None is more welcome, I assure you,” replied his 
host heartily. “Your visits give me great pleasure, and 
I always feel rejuvenated afterwards. I fear I should 
grow very stale indeed if it were not for you and 
Ruby.” 

“And how is the young lady getting on?” inquired 
Lundgren. 

“Oh, fine. She and the dog come up here every day. 

I must say, Mr. Lundgren, that is a wonderful dog. 
He won’t leave her for a minute and thinks the world 
of her; but that is not strange, for I don’t see how any 
person or creature could help loving one of her 
nature.” 

“I quite agree with you in that, Mr. Garrett, and I 
want to confess, to you, that although I have known 
her only a few months, I have learned to love her al¬ 
ready, and hope my love may be returned. In fact I 
hope to make her my wife, and I am asking you for the 
privilege of wooing her.” 

Without replying, the old man sat with bowed head 
for a few minutes, then looking up he answered tear¬ 
fully, “My boy, Ruby is as dear to me as my own 
child, and while it will break my heart to have to give 
her up, yet I would be willing to entrust her to you; 
so I wish you Godspeed in trying to win her affec¬ 
tions, but you must go slowly. If you win—what a 
prize. Why son she is as pure as the flowers that 
bloom in her garden.” 

“I believe that, Mr. Garrett, and I thank you for the 


LOVE’S CONFESSION 


133 


confidence imposed in me. I swear that confidence and 
trust shall never be betrayed. I thought once I loved 
another woman, but I can realize I never before knew 
what real love means. One more thing, Mr. Garrett, 
I wanted to ask if you ever noticed Ruby wearing a 
locket.” 

'‘Yes,” he replied, “she used to wear one, but one 
day broke the chain and gave it to me to keep for her, 
fearing Hunter might get it and not allow her to have 
it; so I put it away in a safe place. But why do 
you ask?” 

"Well, Mr. Garrett, I am not sure, but in a round¬ 
about way I think I may know who her parents were; 
and if so, she is entitled to an estate. It seems there is 
only one way to identify her, and that is by a locket 
with her mother’s picture inside.” 

"This locket has a picture, and Ruby and I have 
often wondered who the woman was—a very hand¬ 
some face. But I want to ask, what made you think 
you knew her kinsfolk?” said Garrett. 

In reply Lundgren related in detail the story as told 
him when a guest in the Hammond home before com¬ 
ing to the ranch. 

Mr. Garrett exclaimed with great feeling, "Oh, I 
hope you are right, and it seems you must be; but we 
must not let her know of it until it is proved beyond 
a doubt. That accounts for her musical talent. She 
is wonderful with the violin. I allowed her to practice 
on mine, and it wasn’t long until she had gone as far 
as I could teach her.” 

"I am glad, Mr. Garrett that you have the locket; 
but it is getting late, and I must go now. I want to 
see you again soon—next Sunday afternoon, perhaps, 


134 BLACK ROCK RANCH 

for I want to talk over with you what is best for us 
to do.” 

He came to the waiting car and asked, “Did I keep 
you too long, Joe?” 

But the boy assured him that he had been very com¬ 
fortable and the waiting time was not long. 


XX 


The Fight 

The next morning a strange man appeared at the 
breakfast table. He had a sort of bulldog face, and 
eyes that reminded Lundgren of a snake, and having 
altogether the appearance of a tough. 

Jim finished his meal first and left the table. As he 
passed behind Lundgren’s chair, he secretly gave him 
a little nudge as a sign to follow him. As soon as he 
could do so without attracting attention, Lundgren 
excused himself upon some pretext and joined Jim in 
the yard, and they started together toward the corral. 

“Did you know the new gent that sat next to you?” 
inquired Jim. 

“Never saw him before. Must be a friend of 
Young’s,” was the reply. 

“Well,” said Jim, “he’s some sort of ex-prize- 
fighter from the other side of the mountains, and 
Young got him here to give you a beatin’ up. I got 
the inside dope, all right, and I thought I’d let you 
know about it. They are sure he can do the job, and 
it looks to me that if you knock that guy cold you’ll 
have to use a sledge-hammer to do it with. He 
will stand a lot of punching, so be prepared to do your 
best. Kelly wants us to meet him Monday night at 
the same place, the bridge.” 

“All right, Jim. I’ll try to defend myself against 
135 


136 


BLACK ROCK RANCH 


this heavy-weight, and if he’s not too much for me, 
I’ll be at the meeting place Monday at nine.” 

Morton had his horse saddled when Young and the 
new man came out to the barn. Young came over to 
him and Lundgren asked who the stranger was. 

“Oh, he’s a fellow that just drifted in here wanting 
a job and I thought I’d try him out.” As he spoke 
his eyes were looking in every direction except toward 
Morton. 

Just as Lundgren was mounting his horse, the new 
man came up to Young, and in a loud voice asked, “Is 
that the guy that’s runnin’ this ranch?” 

Turning his horse Morton rode over to the men say¬ 
ing, “Yes, this is he. Do you want to see me about 
something ?” 

“No, I was just sizin’ you up to see what kind of a 
feller I was workin’ for.” 

Throwing the reins over the horse’s head, Lundgren 
dismounted and stood before the man. “Maybe you-all 
can size me up better if I am on the ground. Now 
then fellow tell me whether I am up to standard.” 

“Well,” drawled the stranger, “it depends upon 
what kind of standard you put upon yourself.” 

“I reckon I’m able to run this ranch as it should be 
and see that every man does his duty, and if he doesn’t 
to put him off, and see that I am treated with the 
respect that’s due me.” 

The man’s lip curled scornfully as he asked “Is that 
meant for me?” 

“Sure it’s meant for you if you want to take it that 
way, and for everyone else on the ranch. I don’t like 
the looks of your face any too well. It needs fixing.” 

At this the man glowered and said, “I’ll learn you 


THE FIGHT 


137 


not to talk that way to me, d—n you. I’m goin* to 
fix that pretty face of your’n right now, and if I 
don’t, you can put me off the place; but if I do, I’ll 
walk off, so git ready.” And he began rolling up his 
sleeves. 

The other men had congregated on the scene by this 
time, some with rejoicing that they were going to see 
the boss get what was coming to him. 

Lundgren told his opponent he was as nearly ready 
as he would ever be, and the bully came at him with a 
rush. For strength the two were well matched, but 
Lundgren had an advantage in that he was much the 
swifter of motion, while the other had the longer 
reach. Morton had fully realized all this, however, 
before the fight began, and as the big fellow came 
toward him with those long arms ready to land a 
crushing blow on the face, Lundgren dodged to one 
side and planted a light blow near the heart. The 
other, in great rage, cried out as he made another 
rush, “Now I’m goin’ to make mincemeat of you.” 

“Oh, are you, you skunk!” retorted Lundgren. “I 
don’t like their odor and I generally get rid of them at 
the first opportunity, and I don’t like your bluster, 
either.” And this time got in a blow on the right 
side. 

Seeing that he had no ordinary man to deal with, the 
braggart began to use more caution. Time and time 
again he came toward Lundgren, once just missing 
his jaw with a terrific blow which, had it landed, must 
surely have brought him down. 

After a drawn battle of several minutes, Lundgren 
discovered that his opponent was breathing with some 
difficulty, and asked him if he had asthma. With an 


138 


BLACK ROCK RANCH 


oath he made a dive at Lundgren, giving him just the 
chance he had been looking for—a trick he had used 
in football. 

As he came rushing forward Lundgren ducked, and 
his shoulder landed in the fellow’s stomach with such 
force that his remaining breath was knocked out, and as 
his hand dropped from guard, Lundgren landed a sci¬ 
entific uppercut and the man fell to the ground. Lund¬ 
gren ordered him to his feet. He managed to get up, 
but with difficulty. 

“Now you-all wanted this fight, and I didn’t, but 
I will give you all you want this time,” and he sent 
home another blow that brought the fellow to the 
ground where he lay unconscious. 

Turning to the spectators Lundgren said, “You have 
all seen what has taken place. I told this man I meant 
to see that every man on this place did as he was told, 
and that I demand a reasonable amount of respect. 
He didn’t seem to think I meant what I said. Young, 
you and Potter drag him out to the side of the road. 
You needn’t worry about his coming-to. He’ll be 
around in fifteen minutes,” and he got on his horse 
and rode away as though nothing out of the ordinary 
had transpired, leaving a number of bystanders rather 
crestfallen. 

Throughout the remainder of the day the main topic 
of discussion among the men was, of course, the fight. 

One of his trusted men having heard the foreman 
boasting only the night before that “Lundgren would 
get what was coming to him one of these days,” and 
that he would be damned glad of it, said to him, 
“Young, you must have got your wires crossed about 
that fight, didn’t you ? Seems to me the boss is getting 


THE FIGHT 


139 


the best of you, no matter what you spring on him; 
and now the latest stunt was to pound the devil out 
of your prize-fighter, and make you help drag him off 
the place.” 

"Yes, but I’m goin’ to get even with him yet. I’ll 
get him all right, and you can be sure of that.” 

"But,” cautioned the man, "that man Lundgren is 
sure some smooth hombre, and I’ll believe it when I 
see it. And say, if we want to get them yearlin’s over 
on the other side before he gets next, we better get 
busy.” 

"Well,” answered Young, "I guess you’re right about 
that, and I’m planning now to get them moved as soon 
as possible, but I’m goin’ slow. I want to make a good 
haul, and keep him from getting wise if he’s here when 
it’s pulled off.” 

By chance Jim and Kelly were sent together to 
change some of the cattle to another pasture. Of 
course both were greatly elated over the bully’s defeat. 

"I didn’t have any misgivings in my own mind,” 
said Jim, "but you never can tell, so I put Morton wise 
this morning; but I tell you from now on, we’ve got to 
look out that they don’t put something over on him yet. 
Believe me, if they’d come out in the open, he wouldn’t 
need any support, but now Young will be furious and 
I wouldn’t be surprised at anything he’d stoop to, to 
get even. If he thought he wouldn’t get caught he’d 
shoot Morton in the back without any feeling of re¬ 
morse.” 

They saw Lundgren riding through the field, when 
Kelly remarked, "That horse is sure looking fine since 
his muscles are getting hardened. At first I thought 
that Buckskin of Young’s was the best of the two for 


140 


BLACK ROCK RANCH 


endurance, but I'm beginning to believe that Ginger 
would give him a hard race/’ 

“Yes,” agreed Jim, “they are well-matched if put 
to the test. It would depend largely on the men that 
were handling them, but Ginger carries his rider much 
easier than the Buckskin.” 

At this Morton rode up to the two, and smilingly 
asked, “Plotting against the Whites?” 

“Yes,” replied Jim with a wink at Kelly, “this ranch 
is getting too notorious with so many fights by some 
of the toughs and there’s got to be a stop put to 
that kind of business.” 

“I reckon you-all know what you’re talking about,” 
said Lundgren. “I had to put a stop to one this morn¬ 
ing myself, and now you-all ought to do likewise.” 

“By the way,” said Jim “I was standin’ over the 
fellow when he came to, and I asked him if he liked to 
gaze at the stars. He told me to go to hell, and take 
Young with me, but I told him I’d let them take the 
lower trail, and I’d take the upper. The last I saw of 
him, he was going north.” 

“Well, I don’t want to hinder you fellows and I’ll 
ramble on.” 

As Lundgren rode away, Jim said, “Kelly, that’s 
the squarest man I have ever seen.” 

Riding up to the barn, Lundgren called Joe, and 
receiving no reply threw the reins over Ginger’s head 
and walked inside. He saw that the boy had not 
finished his work which he should have been through 
with much earlier in the day. This surprised him and 
he pondered to himself. “That isn’t like that kid to 
leave his fork down in the dirt. He must have left in 
a hurry. Wonder if he is sick.” Going over to the 


THE FIGHT 


141 


house he inquired of Mrs. Horton, and as she knew 
nothing of the boy's disappearance, he began to feel 
alarmed, but asked the woman to say nothing about 
his inquiry, as no doubt Joe would show up soon. 
He felt that all was not just right and went again 
to look for him, but finally decided to go to the office 
and await further developments. 

Feeling still more anxiety he questioned with him¬ 
self, wondering if Young was in the field. His eye 
happened to glance toward the wall where his rifle had 
hung, and discovered it was gone. His face turned 
white. Trembling he picked up his hat, saying half- 
audibly, “No knowing what the poor boy might do if 
he gets excited." 

Just as he was leaving by the front door, the back 
door was pushed open and he rushed to meet Joe, who 
must have fallen but for his support. Almost out of 
breath, face haggard, shaking like an aspen leaf, he 
clung to the rifle and Lundgren said, “Brace up now, 
Joe, and tell me all about it." 

He gasped out, “Oh, Mr. Lundgren, I came nearly 
shooting Young, and I would have, if it hadn't been 
for a dog." 

“Get your nerves steadied, boy, and tell me all about 
it. Start from the first and tell me everything." 

“Well," said the boy, “you know when the fight 
started this morning, the men all had their teams out 
ready to go to work, all but Red. He was late, and 
when he was hitching his team to that wagon, I was 
standing by the barn window, and heard Young ask 
why he was late, and he said his wife had to go to 
town that day and he had a big hunt for his old horse 
that she was to drive. Young said, ‘Ain’t you afraid 
someone will carry away that still of yours when 


142 BLACK ROCK RANCH 

there’s no one to watch it?’ And Red said he guessed 
nobody would bother it while Ruby was there, and I 
just thought Young had asked that question to find 
out if the girl would be there alone, so I sure kept my 
eyes on him. He looked all around to see if anyone 
was in sight, then pretty soon he made a sneak down 
through the mesquite and got into the south trail, so I 
ran in here for your rifle, and ran all the way to try to 
get there first. I could see him slipping up to the 
house. There was a big dog tied to a tree and I 
could see it layin’ down with its head between its paws 
watchin’ every move Young made. He went round 
and peeped in at a window on the opposite side from 
the dog, for he was growling pretty fierce. There he 
stood as close to the house as he could get, right beside 
the door, and the dog could see him and he nearly went 
wild trying to get to Young. I just thought sure he’d 
break his rope. Ruby didn’t see Young, and come out 
of the door saying ‘What’s the matter with my dog¬ 
gie?’ and Young grabbed her ’round the waist and 
said, ‘No use for you to try to get away from me this 
time. You’d better get used to my hugs.’ 

“She was trying her best to break away from him, 
and called him a coward and said, ‘Go back to the 
ranch and tell them what kind of a man you are, and 
the most brutal one there would despise you.’ Then 
he began to twist her arm and told her he would bring 
her to her knees for that. I was just going to pull the 
trigger then, but she gave a jump with all her strength, 
when he wasn’t expecting it, and before he knew it she 
was at the dog’s side and called ‘help’! Young fol¬ 
lowed her as far as he dared go, for that dog give a 
leap at his throat and if his rope hadn’t been quite so 


THE FIGHT 


143 


short, he would sure have fixed him. As it was, he got 
a hold on his shirt collar, and tore it and got one good 
bite on his leg and that turned Young’s attention from 
Ruby all right. She held the rope in her hand and held 
up her head high and told the dog to watch Young, 
and she told him she had him where she wanted him 
now, and that if she said the word the dog would kill 
him like a rat, but that if he’d promise never to bother 
her again she would let him go, but if he wouldn’t 
promise, it was him and the dog for it. You ought to 
have seen Young’s face! Then he said ‘Where did 
you get that damned dog?’ and Ruby told him that 
was none of his business. He looked like he wanted 
to kill someone, and he begun to back away, but she 
told him to stand right there until he promised. I 
could see blood on his chest and his leg was bleeding 
something awful. 

“ ‘Make me the promise before I count ten or I turn 
the dog loose.’ She began to count, and when she got 
to six, he said ‘I promise.’ Then she told him to go, 
and not turn or look around, and he slunk away, the 
worst whipped man you ever saw. But I’m awful glad 
that dog’s there, for I’d hate to kill a man.” 

“Yes, indeed, Joe, I’m glad you didn’t have to do 
anything so terrible as that. When I saw the rifle was 
gone, I was afraid you might get excited and be too 
hasty. If you ever have to use a gun, Joe, always aim 
to cripple instead of kill. Well, boy, I feel that I can 
trust you to watch Young. I think I will give you a 
helper, and if there’s any gun-play he’ll be the one to 
do it. Now, kid, you lie down on the cot and rest 
till dinner is ready and get over that nervousness. Go 
to sleep if you can.” 


XXI 


Plotting 

Lundgren sat at the window meditating. He 
realized that matters had grown very serious for 
the girl. When the dinner bell sounded he looked 
around and saw that Joe was fast asleep. “Poor 
boy!” he thought, “Sleep will do him more good 
than a dinner, so I won’t disturb him.” 

When Lundgren was seated at the table one 
of the foreman’s favorites came over to tell him 
that Young wished him to say that he wouldn’t 
be in to dinner, that his horse had fallen with him, 
and he had a bad cut on his leg from a sharp 
rock—nothing serious, but that it would be a day 
or two before he’d be able to get around to look 
after the work. 

As the men were leaving the table, Lundgren 
announced to them that Young had had an acci¬ 
dent and couldn’t be out for a day or two, and 
that they were to go on with their work for the 
afternoon as had been planned for them. 

To Jim he said, “I’ll ride out and have a look 
at those cattle you are changing to the other pas¬ 
ture.” Jim and Kelly had started when he got 
out his saddle-horse and soon overtook them. 
He told them he had something important to tell 
them, and needed their advice in the matter, and 
went on to relate in detail what Joe had so 
144 


PLOTTING 


145 


tragically portrayed, and Jim broke in with, “My 
advice is have him pinched, or else get a rope, 
and I’ll help string him up.” 

“Not so fast, Jim,” said Kelly, “there are serious 
things to consider, but first we must consider 
the young lady. If arrested he would probably 
get about sixty days, then be free to go ahead 
with his dirty work. It would drag her into 
court, which would be very embarrassing to say 
the least. Then again, there’s about eight more 
men here that are about as bad as Young, and 
if we took their leader we wouldn’t be able to 
get them right in the act of pulling a deal that 
will send them to the Pen for not less than 
twenty years, and I think it better if we can, to 
protect the girl from his caveman tactics and 
land him on the other charge. That will be my 
plan,” said Lundgren, “if we can keep her from 
him.” 

“Well,” said Jim, “on second thought, I reckon 
I did make my decision too sudden.” 

Lundgren told them he had planned to go to 
Long Valley Ranch and must be leaving them, 
“but I think,” he continued, “that after Young is 
up and around, we’d better keep a pretty close 
watch on him.” 

While this conversation was going on, another 
was taking place between Red and Potter. The 
former had inquired, “Did you know His Royal 
Highness is paying visits to old man Garrett?” 

And Potter replied, “The h—1 you say! Why 
does he want to call on an old man like that?” 

“Danged if I know,” answered Red. “I found 


146 


BLACK ROCK RANCH 


that out last night when I took the old horse just 
beyond his place where there’s some good pickin’, 
and cornin’ back, I got to talkin’ to the old man an’ 
he asked me how I liked the new boss. I told him 
just fine, and he said he had met him an’ he 
thought he had the appearance of a good man, 
and that he had promised to come up and see 
him next Sunday afternoon.” 

“I’ll sure as h—1 tell Young,” said Potter, 
which he did at the very first opportunity. 

Lundgren came to the garage to get his 
machine for the trip to the mountain ranch, and 
found Joe carefully wiping the dust from the car. 

“That’s fine, Joe, you-all will have this looking 
like new all the time, if you keep that up.” 

“Mr. Lundgren,” said the boy, “I had been won¬ 
dering about this being so roomy, and I just found 
out. Did you know there are seats to pull out 
and four can ride in it?” 

“Yes, Joe, I knew that, but had never thought 
to call your attention to that feature.” 

And Joe continued, “Some time if I take a ride 
with you, I’ll use that seat for a foot-rest. I’m 
not hinting, but I’d like to go to New York with 
you some time.” 

That evening, as Young sat alone, Potter went 
to his room, and closing the door asked, “How’s 
the leg?” 

“Better,” was the reply, “I think I’ll be O. K. 
to get out tomorrow with the darned thing.” 

“Well,” said Potter, “I just thought I’d drop in 
and tell you some news I got from Red. I don’t 
know that it matters much, but he says Lundgren 


PLOTTING 


147 


is chumming with old man Garrett. Now what 
he wants to associate with an old man like that 
for I can’t tell, but I have an idea of my own that 
he is trying to shine around that girl of Red’s.” 

“You’re right he is,” declared Young fiercely, 
“and what else did he say?” 

“That’s about all, except that he had a date 
with the> old man Sunday afternoon.” 

As Potter was leaving, Young asked him to say 
nothing to anyone of that Sunday afternoon 
appointment, and wished him to inform the boys 
that he wouldn’t be out for a few days yet, not 
before Monday, anyway. 

A little later Lundgren drove his car into the 
garage and went directly to Young’s room, and 
inquired how he felt. 

“Not very good,” was the reply. “I’m afraid 
I won’t be able to be around for a few days yet.” 

“I just came from Long Valley Ranch,” said 
Lundgren pleasantly, “and I found the cattle fine 
—but I am late for supper. So long.” 

After he left the room Young said to himself, 
“It’s a good thing he went today if he wanted 
to see that ranch again, and I believe I know 
now w T here she got the dog.” 

When Lundgren awoke on Sunday morning it 
was with a feeling of gladness, and as he watched 
the sun rise over the mountains, his heart was 
filled with gratitude. “Not a bad world to live 
in, after all, if folks would just be decent, and 
enjoy what the Creator has given them to enjoy.” 

His thoughts were of Ruby as they had been 
for the last week, when his mind had not been 


148 


BLACK ROCK RANCH 


occupied with other important matters. How I 
love her,” he meditated, “and what a suspense it 
is to wait, and what a disappointment if I can 
never win her love. Uncle Garrett told me I 
must go slow, and I reckon I’d better take his 
advice. But if she keeps her appointment, I will 
be able to spend this afternoon with her, and I 
have looked forward to this with pleasure.” 

He spent most of the forenoon writing letters, 
among them one purely business to Mr. Winter- 
ton, and another of warm friendship to Mr. Ham¬ 
mond, the first since he had been at the ranch, 
although he and Charles had exchanged numerous 
messages. Just as he had finished writing Joe 
came to his door and asked if he meant to stay in 
all day. 

“No, Joe, I am through writing, and was just 
wondering if you would like to take a little ride 
after dinner and mail these letters for me. I 
have promised Mr. Garrett to spend the afternoon 
at his place.” 

“I would like that,” answered Joe. “But how 
is Young?” 

“Oh, he is laid up for a few days, and I don’t 
think you will need to be on guard; so when you 
are ready, you will find the letters on my desk. 
But where are all the men? I haven’t seen any 
of them around all morning.” 

“I saw Jim and Kelly ride away and I heard 
Kelly tell Mrs. Horton they wouldn’t be here for 
dinner. The rest all went fishin’, they said, but 
it’s booze they went after. Before you came, they 
always had it here every Sunday, but now they 


PLOTTING 


149 


go where they won’t be molested. But I’ll go 
now and get a horse ready, and go to the post- 
office soon as I get my dinner. If you don’t 
care I’ll ride the white pony. He hasn’t been rode 
for a long time, and needs some exercise.” 

“That’s all right, Joe, if you think you can 
manage him. He seems a little inclined to be 

bad. ” 

“I think I can handle him, and I think it’s time 
I was getting able to handle the bad ones.” 

He watched the boy as he went to the corral 
and roped the pony, then went to change his 
clothing to make ready for the ride. 

After the two had eaten dinner they left the 
house together and started away in opposite direc¬ 
tions. 

When Ruby had finished her midday meal, she 
took her field glass, untied Hector and took him 
with her to a shady place under some trees where 
she had a good view of the valley below, and sat 
waiting to see Lundgren leave the ranch before 
going to the Garrett home. When she was seated 
the dog came and put his head in her lap, and as 
she stroked his glossy coat she began talking to 
him as was her habit. 

“Now, old fellow, you are going to see your 
master. And I know you will be glad, but you 
won’t be any more pleased to see him than I am. 
You can show your affection for him all you want 

to, while I must be very reserved, and not let him 
know how I feel. We will never let him know 
how you wanted to kill Young, and how near 


150 BLACK ROCK RANCH 

I came to letting you do it. He doesn t need 
to know that, does he?” 

She had been waiting for some time when she 
saw someone ride away from the ranch on a white 
horse. Focussing her glass on the ranch house 
she soon saw Lundgren with his determined air, 
head erect, with long strides, start up the moun¬ 
tain trail in her direction. 

“Now, doggie, he will come right by here. Let’s 
wait for him, then we can go up to Uncle 
Game’s together. Do you know I am always 
kind of scared when I know I am going to meet 
him?” 


XXII 


Shot from Ambush 

Ruby had watched Lundgren until he had made 
about three-fourths of the distance, when just 
happening to turn her glass to his right, her face 
suddenly turned ashen and her hand shook 
violently. She gave a scream as the report of a 
revolver rang out. She saw Lundgren throw up 
his hands and fall forward, then he lay quite 
still. She gave one look at the retreating, slouch¬ 
ing figure, and instantly recognized Young as the 
man who had committed the cowardly deed. Rage 
swelled in her breast as her nerves strengthened 
into steel-like fibre, and turning to the restless 
dog who seemed to scent danger she removed the 
leash from his neck, and commanded him to go 
to his master. As she pointed down the trail, 
the great beast gave a mighty bound, and was 
off like the wind with the girl following him as 
fast as her feet could carry her. 

When she was near enough to see, her heart 
seemed almost to stop beating, as she beheld her 
lover lying prone upon the ground. Hector was 
whining, then began licking what seemed to be 
an ugly wound on the top of the head. When 
she had come quite near, the dog came to her 
and looked into her face with troubled eyes, gave 
a short bark, then went and lay down beside the 
151 


152 BLACK ROCK RANCH 

prostrate form, whining and looking inquiringly 
at Ruby. 

There lay her lover dead, as she thought, with 
a bullet hole through his head. She sank to her 
knees weeping, and with a heart almost bursting 
with grief. 

“Oh! They have killed you, my dear. The 
only man I ever loved, or ever will love.” Drop¬ 
ping to the ground beside him, she took his head 
in her lap. She stroked the matted hair, shower¬ 
ing kisses on his face, as she sobbed. 

Suddenly she felt a relaxing of the muscles, 
and before she could free herself, his eyes opened 
and he looked straight at her. With a feeble 
smile he still gazed into her face, then soon he 
raised an arm to her head, pulled her close to him, 
kissing her fondly as he said, “My little sweet¬ 
heart. How I love you.” 

She looked her devotion as in trembling tones 
she replied, “I thought I would never hear you 
speak again, and I hadn’t known till then that I 
couldn’t live without you. But we must attend 
to this wound.” 

Upon examination she found that the bullet 
had made only a scalp wound, causing uncon¬ 
sciousness for a time and quite a loss of blood. 
Placing his head tenderly on the ground, she ran 
to the little creek near by, wet her handkerchief 
and placed it on the wound. 

The cold water helped to revive him, and soon 
he was able to adjust his body more comfortably. 
He was now in a position enabling him to get a 


SHOT FROM AMBUSH 


153 


better view of Ruby’s face, and he stared at her 
with lovelit eyes. 

“Some way I am rather delighted that this 
accident happened,” he whispered. 

“Why, Mr. Lundgren! Of all things. To be 
delighted at having been shot!” 

“Well, you see, dearie, the wound doesn’t 
amount to anything, and I have found out some¬ 
thing my heart longed to know. And Ruby, you 
call me ‘Morton.’ I don’t want you to ‘Mister’ 
me any more. What I found out was, that you 
love me. I have known for some time that I was 
deeply in love with you, but I could not think 
you cared for me. If you will consent to marry 
me, you will make me the happiest man on earth; 
and I promise if you consent to be my wife, my 
first duty will be to give you happiness and love.” 

“Oh, Morton, I do love you with all my heart 
and soul and there is nothing that would make me 
so happy as to be your wife, but before I could 
do this, I must explain everthing to be sure you 
understand and after that you can decide. But 
you are not able to hear it today,” and she leaned 
to kiss his cheek. 

“I am feeting fine, and if you have anything 
you want to tell me, I want to hear it, but if you 
would rather keep it a secret, it will be all right, 
sweetheart. I think I will sit up, then I want 
you to tell me how you happened to find me here 
all knocked out.” 

She at once proceeded to tell him, how, with 
the aid of her glass, she had been watching him 
as he came up the trail, and had just happened 


154 BLACK ROCK RANCH 

to look in the direction and saw Young taking 
aim. 

“Young!” burst out Lundgren. “You don’t 
mean to tell me it was Young tried to get me!” 

“Yes, Morton, it was Young. I am not mis¬ 
taken, for I took a second look to be quite sure, 
and oh, how I wanted to kill him, and I swore 
revenge. I had just been telling Hector how 
much I loved his master, but that my love would 
never be returned, when it all happened. As soon 
as the shot was fired Hector began to be uneasy 
and seemed to know that something terrible had 
happened. I hurried to take off his chain telling 
him to go, and he was off. When I reached you 
he was already beside you, trying to care for your 
wound. All the time I wished you could have 
known that I cared for you, for I thought I 
would find you dead.” 

A shudder shook her frame, but she continued, 
“I don’t see how he missed killing you, unless 
it was Providence that saved you.” 

“Well, I reckon the Almighty does have a hand 
in most everything. I am going to get up now, 
and see if we can’t get over to the shade of those 
trees.” 

“Oh, Morton, do be careful. I’m afraid you 
are not able for that just yet. Let me help you 
if you must.” And taking his arm she helped to 
steady him as he arose with great effort. Raising 
one hand to his forehead, he stood for a moment 
without taking a step. 

“Just a little shaky and somewhat dizzy,” he 


SHOT FROM AMBUSH 


155 


said carelessly. “But that will soon pass when I 
am accustomed to standing.” 

Soon, with the girl’s aid, he was able to walk 
to the place he had indicated, and he sat leaning 
against a tree for support. All this time the dog 
was running around the two, barking to express 
his delight. 

“I am feeling fine here, and in a short time 
I’ll be good as new.” 

Ruby’s face beamed with happiness as she said, 
“Now, I must bathe that dear head again and I 
must ask you for your handkerchief, too.” 

In the cool stream she dipped the two handker¬ 
chiefs, placing one upon the wound while with the 
other she bathed the feverish brow until the 
heat was reduced, then sat down beside him. “I 
am going to tell you what is on my mind, and 
while talking I want your arm about me, for 
after I have finished you may change your mind 
and I want to carry the memory of an embrace 
by the only man I have ever loved.” 

Morton drew her tenderly to him until her 
head rested on his shoulder. She told him how 
she had confided to Uncle Garrett her love for 
him, while she felt it was vain, because her life 
had been so different from his, and her unknown 
parentage would make him ashamed to introduce 
her to his own kind. Her lips quivered as she 
said, “and I couldn’t stand that.” 

She felt his arm tighten about her waist, and 
that gave her courage. After a pause she said, 
“Now you may think it all over well before you 
make a decision.” 


156 


BLACK ROCK RANCH 


“Well,” said he, “if you are through I have 
something to say, and that is, sweetheart, that I 
have never seen any woman I thought purer than 
you, and none whom I could trust as I trust you. 
I will tell you something of myself. When a lad 
in my early teens, I was left without father or 
mother, with a big ranch to look after in a tough 
part of Texas, and I had many hard battles to 
fight. My father was a cattle raiser and a born 
fighter. He was the quickest man with the six- 
gun there was in all the country ’round at that 
time. He used to take me out on the range when 
I wasn’t more than ten years old, to teach me to 
handle a gun. He taught me one trick on what 
we call a ‘draw and shoot from the hip,’ and he 
just made me practice on that one thing till I 
could do it as well as he. 

“Then one day we found him with a bullet 
hole in his back. He was out after some rustlers 
that had been taking cattle. Mother went soon 
afterward. Grief killed her. I was mighty lone¬ 
some, but managed to get along some way. I 
craved an education and managed to get through 
high school and had some college training. One 
day while on the ranch, a man and his daughter 
drove in to make inquiry about a tract of land 
he thought of buying. I invited them to make 
their headquarters with me while making investi¬ 
gations. They did so, and this happened to 
be at a time when I was having a dreadful fit 
of the blues. The young lady was very entertain¬ 
ing, and she made me forget my unhappiness. 

To make the story short, in time we were en- 


SHOT FROM AMBUSH 


157 


gaged to be married, for I thought then I loved 
her; but now I know I did not. She broke the 
engagement, and I am surely glad she did. 

“That is a brief sketch of my life, and now 
I am all yours, and if you accept me I will feel 
it the highest honor I ever had or can ever ex¬ 
pect.” 

“Morton, I am very happy to give myself to 
you. I had, at first, a feeling of jealousy when 
you mentioned the other girl, but not now. It 
was noble of you to tell me all about her, and I 
feel sorry for her because of what she has missed 
and I have gained.” 

Lundgren said, “I have money enough that we 
may live in comfort.” 

“Why, Morton, I never thought you had money. 
I supposed you had to work for a living the same 
as the other folks around here. It was only for 
love alone that I accepted you. I would never 
care for money except to do good with it.” 

Then for a while the happy pair talked of their 
future, building air-castles, until suddenly Morton 
broke the spell with, “Do you know we are for¬ 
getting poor Mr. Garrett, and I think I am strong 
enough now to go to him and tell him of our 
great joy. We can walk slowly and if I find 
the climb too much for me, I shall go back to the 
ranch.” 

As he lifted himself from his seat upon the 
ground, he turned his face for an instant, toward 
the deity’s wonderful masterpiece, which had been 
his strength and stay on more than one occasion. 
Then hand in hand the lovers started up the trail 


158 BLACK ROCK RANCH 

together in silence, their minds filled with happy 
thoughts. 

As they finally drew near the cottage, Ruby 
asked Morton to break the news to Mr. Garrett. 
Then they espied the dear old man in his accus¬ 
tomed place under a large pine, fast asleep with 
his violin at his side. In childish glee the girl 
called out, “Wake up, Uncle Garry, and see who's 
come!" 

“Well, well, I think I must have fallen asleep. 

I was expecting you both some time ago. Come, 
have seats." 

“Thank you, Mr. Garrett, and I must tell you 
of our happiness—Ruby has just promised to be 
my wife." 

The old man smiled his approval as he said, 
“It doesn't surprise me much, but I hadn’t thought 
it would come about so soon. I have thought all 
the time that when you two met, it was love at 
first sight. Now, my children, come and receive 
an old man's blessing." 

As they knelt before him, he happened to notice 
the wound on Lundgren’s head. Ruby gave him 
an account of the happenings of the afternoon, 
when, with great concern, he asked Morton to 
come near, that he might make a careful examina¬ 
tion. Then he directed Ruby to his first-aid sup¬ 
plies and together they dressed and bandaged the 
wound with great care. 

“It is not bad," said the old man, “but if that 
bullet had gone a fraction of an inch lower we 
would have had a sad duty to perform." 


SHOT FROM AMBUSH 


159 


“Oh, Uncle!” exclaimed the girl, as she burst 
into tears. 

“I reckon you-all don’t need to think of what 
might have happened, but of what did happen,” 
and Morton told Ruby to dry her tears. 

The three spent a happy evening together, and 
when Lundgren spoke of returning to the ranch 
Mr. Garrett took up his violin and passing it to 
Ruby, asked her to play for them. She readily 
consented, and after tuning the instrument to 
her satisfaction, she began to play. The two men 
sat in the twilight, lost in the strains of “Love’s 
Old Sweet Song,” as it came from the violin 
played by a skillful hand. 

As the last notes died away, Lundgren told her 
he had never heard anything so sweet and hoped 
she might play for him often. 

“I will like nothing better, if you want to 
hear me.” 

The old man said, “I think I never heard her 
do quite so well before.” 

“Why, Uncle, don’t you guess the reason? I 
have just come to know what love really means. 
Now I will play just one more, your favorite, 
Uncle.” And she smiled into the face of her 
benefactor. 

Finally the sweet tones of “Nearer, My God, to 
Thee” came from the instrument, varied only as 
necessary to bring out all the sacred richness of 
the hymn, while through it all Mr. Garrett rever¬ 
ently bowed his head. When she had finished, 
Lundgren told them he must leave them, but 
would like a drink of water before going. Ruby 


160 


BLACK ROCK RANCH 


started for the spring in the rear of the cottage to 
bring some water. When she had gone, he handed 
to the old man a piece of notepaper, saying, “On 
this is written the address of a man who can find 
out about Ruby’s parentage. I wish you would 
send the locket with the picture to him at once, 
for I believe she will be found to be the daughter 
of the Rossis, who were killed by a train in 
Illinois.” 

They had no more time to talk then, as Ruby 
had returned with a pitcher of water, and poured 
out a glass for her lover. “Mr. Garrett, you cer¬ 
tainly have fine water here, and I think Ruby and 
I will have to build a cottage near you for our 
summer home if we can arrange it.” 

Ruby exclaimed gleefully, “Oh, Uncle, won’t 
that be splendid to live close to you?” 

“It certainly will,” he replied, “and I promise, 
if you’ll do this, that I won’t intrude myself upon 
you to the extent that I’d be a bother to you and 
spoil your happiness.” 

“Oh, Uncle, you mustn’t say such a thing. We 
would never get tired of your company, would 
we, Morton?” 

“No indeed, but it would be lonely without 
him. We must have him near to give us advice. 
I must go now. I forgot to say, Mr. Garrett, that 
I intend to claim Ruby in about a month, or just 
as soon as I can arrange some other matters.” 

At this Ruby admonished him to be very care¬ 
ful, and to get rid of Young in some way, and 
Morton assured her that all would come out right. 
Then he started down the trail a new man, with 
new responsibilities, but with a very happy heart. 


XXIII 


Reconnoitering 

The next morning after the accident, Lundgren 
went to Young’s room as though nothing had happened 
and asked, “How’s the leg this morning?” 

Young was sitting with his back to the door and 
instantly sprang to his feet, staring at the speaker as 
though he were an apparition and seemed to be 
speechless. After the question had been repeated, he 
managed to say, “My leg is better, but I still feel kind 
of shaken up. I think perhaps I may be able to get out 
and knock around some this afternoon.” 

“That will be fine,” said Lundgren, “and I think 
you’d better send some men over to Long Valley 
Ranch to help in branding those yearlings and have it 
done before Saturday night.” 

“Yes, I will do that tomorrow, or the next day, any¬ 
way.” 

When Lundgren had gone, Young felt his knees 
trembling and realized he could not have stood very 
much longer. This weakness was not, however, from 
his wound but because of seeing Lundgren appear be¬ 
fore him, apparently in usual health when he supposed 
he had fallen from a fatal shot from his pistol. 

As he sank into his chair he soliloquized, “How did 
that miss him? I saw him fall forward. Damn him! 
He wants the yearlings branded. This is the time to 
pull off the job. We’ll have a meeting tonight and we 
161 


162 


BLACK ROCK RANCH 


can fix that all right, and have the cattle separated 
and start the boys over the grade. Fll take the lower 
trail and I'll take that girl, too, if I have to shoot the 
dog. I'll get the boys to guard her, and I'll be back 
here in the morning and draw my pay and quit the 
damned ranch for good. They couldn't prove any¬ 
thing if they should happen to suspect me. I'll make 
her sorry she ever let that devil bite me.” 

When Lundgren left Young he went to find Jim, and 
came upon him where he was mending a stirrup of his 
saddle. 

Looking cautiously about, he spoke in guarded tones. 
"‘Fix it good, Jim, for I think there will be something 
doing right soon, now. Young tried to get me yester¬ 
day afternoon. And he lifted his hat and brushed 
aside his hair, showing him the slight scalp wound. 
“I was knocked out for a little while.” 

“How did you know he did it?” Jim asked. 

“A friend of mine saw him, but I will give you the 
details later. You and Kelly be on hand tonight. I 
told Young I wanted the yearlings branded by the last 
of the week. I want to limber Ginger up a little, and 
do some scouting. I’ll be back before dark.” 

Soon he rode away in the direction of the railway 
station, but before going very far, turned into a trail 
leading to a small canyon opposite the Long Valley 
Ranch. 

At one side of the entrance he found a small hill 
with a deep arroyo running between it and the moun¬ 
tain, while on the other side, a well-beaten path led 
into the canyon just where this trail entered; the 
arroyo and trail ran parallel, with great walls of 
granite extending straight up for thousands of feet. 


SHOT FROM AMBUSH 


163 


Beyond this narrow gateway was a table-land perhaps 
sixty rods wide by eighty rods in length, which nar¬ 
rowed again. Riding along the arroyo until it came 
into the trail, he found an easy grade and again took 
the trail. After a thorough inspection he advanced 
to the farther side of the mesa, findng it narrowed to 
a neck of perhaps one hundred feet in width, and said 
to himself, “Now, if we can only get them in here, we 
surely will be able to hold them.” 

Following on until he reached the summit he dis¬ 
covered still another small canyon that led down to the 
valley. He took this on the homeward journey and 
found it came out quite near the Garrett home. 

Turning his horse into a path from the main road, 
he called to see his old friend, and found that he was 
not feeling well, but had been able to send the locket 
that day as he had promised to do. 

When Lundgren inquired of him solicitously if there 
was something he would be able to do to relieve his 
headache, he replied in the negative, saying that Ruby 
had come to see him and ministered to his needs. 

“And how is the little girl?” 

“Oh, so happy in her new love. She ran over to 
her home on an errand expecting to be back soon.” 

Before long they heard a bark from Hector, and 
Lundgren was at the door in an instant. Stepping out¬ 
side, the dog rushed to meet him, and stood on his 
hind feet with his paws on his master’s breast to be 
fondled. As Ruby came near the house Lundgren 
went to meet her. 

“Oh, I am so glad to see you,” she exclaimed. “I 
was so afraid your head would trouble you.” 

“No, the wound will soon be entirely healed, and I 


164 BLACK ROCK RANCH 

am good as new. But I am sorry Mr. Garrett is not 
feeling well.” 

“Morton, I really feel alarmed about Uncle. He 
is failing so fast, just in the last few weeks, and I am 
going to stay here and take care of him. Oh, what a 
beautiful horse. Is he yours? May I pet him?” 

“I reckon you-all may pet him if he don’t object. 
But remember he was an outlaw when I came to the 
ranch. He hates Young as much as we do, but we 
will see if he has a liking for you.” 

Stepping up to the horse’s head, Ruby put out her 
hand to stroke the star in his forehead, and Ginger was 
not in the least disturbed, but rubbed his head against 
the girl’s shoulder. 

“Isn’t he a dear! And may I ride him some time?” 

“I hope so, when you get better acquainted.” 

“Now, my dear, I am very busy and must go. Tell 
Uncle I am hoping he will be feeling very much better 
next time I come to see him.” And stooping to kiss 
the lips of his fiancee he swung himself into the saddle 
and started toward the ranch at a swinging gallop. 

How proud she felt as she watched her lover 
mounted on his horse, for it was evident that the firm 
hand on the rein was amply competent to cope with the 
caprices of his mount, while the body of the rider 
moved in unison with the animal, almost as though 
the two were parts of one organic structure. When he 
arrived at the ranch he turned his horse into the corral 
and started toward a field where some men were mow¬ 
ing hay, when he heard Joe’s voice calling to him. He 
turned to walk toward the boy, and when he came up 
to him saw he was very much excited. 

His voice was husky as he said, “I must see you 


RECONNOITERING 165 

where we can be alone to talk, for I have some news 
for you.” 

“Well, Joe, will it keep for a while, or should I 
know it now?” 

“The sooner the better, Mr. Lundgren.” 

“All right, I’ll go at once to my room, and you can 
follow in a few minutes.” 

It was not long until the boy came hurrying in and 
began to talk. 

“This afternoon Red came out to where Potter and 
Sam Pickles, as the boys call him, were working and 
told them Young wanted to see them as soon as they 
could get to the bunk-house, that there was something 
doing. They acted so excited that it aroused my sus¬ 
picions, so I sneaked around back of the bunk-house 
and crawled into an opening that leads under the 
floor and by putting my ear up close I could hear 
every word they said. 

“They are planning to take some yearlings from 
Long Valley Ranch tomorrow night. He is sending 
some men to pretend to brand them tomorrow and will 
send Jim and Kelly to the east pasture to fix fence so 
they won’t be here and he told Potter to see the two 
fellows you fired when you first came here and let 
them know the arrangements. Said he was to meet 
them tonight, but had a lot to attend to before to¬ 
morrow night. They intend to start the cattle just 
before dark if everything goes all right. Young said 
he’d have to stay here till late, but would take the 
lower trail and meet them at the summit.” 

“Do you-all know how many men there will be?” 

“Eight till they get them started, then three or four 
will be enough to go over the trail. He told Potter 


166 


BLACK ROCK RANCH 


which men was to go all the way, and that is what I 
wanted you to know in such a big hurry.” 

“Well, son, I am sure glad to see you are on the job, 
and I want you on the job tomorrow afternoon. I 
reckon we’ll just naturally have to give them what’s 
coming to them. You find Jim as soon as you can, and 
tell him what you heard and tell him I have gone to 
mail some letters. 

“Now tomorrow night you warn us and let us 
know when Young leaves the ranch, and I will take 
Ginger and meet him at the summit. But you must be 
very careful not to let him suspect that you know any¬ 
thing about his plans.” 

Soon Lundgren drove away in the direction of Wil¬ 
son’s home, while Joe went in search of Jim and found 
him roping a lame steer. He stood watching until the 
nail had been removed from the animal’s foot, and Jim 
was at liberty, then he immediately went to him and 
began telling him of the conversation he had listened 
to at the bunk-house. Jim sat on the ground during 
the narrative, seemingly very little concerned over the 
matter until the boy had finished, then jumping to his 
feet exclaimed, “I’ll have to talk with Morton to¬ 
night. That was fine work, kid! And the boss don’t 
forget good work.” And mounting his horse he rode 
rapidly away without any explanation to Joe. 


XXIV 


Setting a Trap 

When Lundgren came up to the Wilson ranch, he 
found its owner working over a sick horse. In 
answer to Morton’s inquiry as to the horse’s ailment 
he said, “Don’t know, but think he’s going to die. 
Stayed up with him all night, but might just as well 
have gone to bed. I wouldn’t care so much if I wasn’t 
so awfully behind with my work. N^ver will get 
caught up.” 

“Well, now,” said Lundgren, “I think you-all need 
a change, and I want some help to intercept some cattle 
thieves tomorrow night.” 

“You don’t say!” exclaimed the astonished Wilson. 
“Tell me about it! And Lundgren went into details of 
the plans as overheard by Joe. He also told him of 
the trails as he had that morning gone over them, 
when Wilson burst in with, “I’ve been over every foot 
of that land myself.” 

Lundgren further explained that he had thought, 
with one force of men secreted in the gorge to the 
left of the hill, and another in the narrow passageway 
beyond the mesa that they might be able to hem them 
in. 

“Couldn’t be a better place to catch the damned 
rascals,” was the return. Then he called to his boy 
to bring his gun. “Haven’t used it for so long I don’t 
suppose I know how to shoot any more.” 

167 


168 


BLACK ROCK RANCH 


Lundgren suggested that he had thought best to get 
in touch with the Sheriff and have him on the ground 
to take care of the thieves, to which Wilson agreed as 
being “the very idea.” 

Taking the gun from the boy’s hand, he said, as he 
examined it, “It used to be a good friend, and I sup¬ 
posed it was all rusty now, but I see it’s in pretty good 
shape. Wonder if I can hit anything with it. See that 
knot in yonder fence board? I’ll see if I can hit it. 
May even miss the board.” 

He fired six shots in rapid succession, every one 
went true to aim. 

“I think you-all will do,” said Lundgren smilingly. 

“Look here,” said Wilson, “I think I better get the 
sheriff and some men into that canyon tonight, and let 
them lay in hiding all day tomorrow. I’ll take them 
over myself.” 

“I have only two that I can depend upon, but they 
are good ones. I can’t leave the ranch tomorrow ’til 
after Young leaves, then I’ll take care of him,” added 
Lundgren. 

Wilson replied, “Leave the rest to me, and the 
sheriff and your two men, and if we can get them bot¬ 
tled up there, we’ve got ’em sure. I’ll have my wife 
fix us up some grub to take with us, and I’ll gather up 
the boys and be ready to start by midnight. See you 
tomorrow night,” and he started toward the house in 
haste, leaving his caller to get in his car and drive 
away. 

“Getting on the job right quick,” said Lundgren to 
himself. 

The sun had set when he drove into the garage and 
he went direct to the dining-hall. 


SETTING A TRAP 


169 


“Whassamatter, him late? Breakem car?” inquired 
Wing Loo, the cook. 

“No, Wing. I no breakee him, had business to see 
to. Here’s two bits for keeping my supper warm.” 

“Velly nice man, thankee!” and the smiling China¬ 
man bowed himself out of the room. 

After he had eaten, Lundgren went to the office and 
wrote a few lines to Jim, acquainting him with the 
plans as outlined by Wilson and himself, and sent Joe 
to deliver the note. Then going to his room, he sat 
for a time in silent meditation and contemplation of 
the forthcoming events. Retiring at an early hour 
he soon fell asleep, but later awakened with a start 
from an ugly dream in which he had seen Ruby 
trying to ride Ginger, being thrown over a deep 
precipice. 

The next morning as the men were leaving the 
breakfast table, Young told Jim and Kelly he wanted 
them to repair the fence on the east side of the pasture 
down by the river. Then he asked six of the others to 
go to Long Valley Ranch to brand yearlings, and to 
be sure not to miss any of them. Also that if they 
couldn’t get through until late, they would better stay 
to finish, all the night if necessary and finish on the 
morrow. 

Lundgren spent the day in his office or around the 
place, never going far from the house. Once he con¬ 
sulted Young as to the best make of mower to buy. 
All this time Young was congratulating himself that 
this was the one time he was hood-winking that 
“damn fool.” 

Just before noon a man stopped to let his horse 
drink from the stream near the barn, and inquired of 


170 BLACK ROCK RANCH 

Lundgren who was standing near, how far it was to 
Keough. 

After he had been given the information he in¬ 
quired, “Is your name Young ?” 

“No, that is Young out yonder by the corral.” 

“Then, you must be Lundgren.” 

“Yes, you-all got it right that time.” 

“Well, you're the man I wanted to see. I was sent 
to tell you that everything has gone fine for Wilson. 
He and his men got into the canyon at three this 
morning. I’ll be moving on now, good-day.” 

At four o’clock that afternoon, Lundgren told Joe 
to not let Young get out of his sight, that he would 
go to the field and up the river to Jim and Kelly at 
work on the fences, and that they would go together 
and slip into the arroyo from the south and that he 
himself would lie in wait for Young. 

Saddling his horse, he told Young that he would like 
to take a look at the lower hay field and also to see 
how the cattle were doing. 

“All right,” said Young. “I have some matters that 
I must attend to, so I’ll go away rather early and may 
not be back as soon as you.” 

“Just go ahead,” said Lundgren, “and everything 
will get along all right,” and he rode away, leaving 
Young smiling to himself, as he soliloquized. 

“It couldn’t have worked out better. I can get an 
early start, and if I can get rid of the dog, I can handle 
the girl without much trouble.” 

Soon he went and saddled the big bay and started 
toward the Hunter homestead. He left the regular 
trail before long, and winding his way in and out 
through mesquite and sagebrush until he came to the 


SETTING A TRAP 


m 


north side of the creek, he followed it through the 
heavy growth of willows and underbrush coming finally 
to the path leading from Hunter’s to the Garrett home. 
Here he tied his horse and slipped through until he 
could get a good view of the place, but could see 
nothing of Ruby nor the dreaded dog. He stood de¬ 
bating with himself what to do next, when he heard 
footsteps in the trail, and was soon rewarded for his 
watch by seeing the girl hurrying toward her home. 
He waited until she had reached the place where he 
was, and stepped directly in front of her, blocking her 
further advance. 

“This is the time I get you. I’ll show you what you 
get for setting that dog on me.” 

Fear took possession of the girl, seeing he was des¬ 
perate, and she thought, “Oh, if only I had brought 
Hector with me.” Then in a pleading voice she said, 
“Please, Mr. Young, let me go. I was going after 
medicine for Uncle. I didn’t set Hector on you, and 
you know you promised that if I wouldn’t, you’d never 
bother me again, and now you have broken your 
promise.” 

A hellish laugh was the mocking reply, then he 
said, “Everything is fair in love and war, and now 
you are going with me. Did you think I was going to 
let that dude have you ? Not by a darned sight. Will 
you come of your own accord, or shall I take you by 
force ?” 

“I’d rather die than go with you,” she said defiantly. 
“Why don’t you kill me ? Shoot me as you did Lund- 
gren. I saw you do that.” 

“Kill you! Not on your life! But if you know so 
much about me, I’ll put you in a place where you can’t 


172 BLACK ROCK RANCH 

talk. But Fm in a rush. Are you coming without a 
fight?” 

“Never!” 

He grabbed her round the waist, and she fought 
with all her strength, then realizing it was all in vain, 
began to scream for help. Taking a handkerchief, he 
tied it over her mouth, then picking her up bodily, car¬ 
ried her to his waiting horse. By this time the girl had 
fainted and he laid her across the horse in front of 
the saddle, and then rode slowly away, steadying the 
limp form. 

Joe, in spite of his close watch, failed to see Young 
making ready for the start, but only discovered him as 
he was galloping away. The youth was much agitated 
and said to himself, “How am I going to follow him?” 
But on second thought, climbed a tree and could easily 
see the horseman as he rode through the mesquite and 
then saw him come out again, beyond the creek and to 
the place where he tied his horse. 

“Well, what is he up to now? Something worse 
than rustling cattle,” he said. 

And down from his lookout and into the corral he 
rushed, roped the gray, and in ten minutes, was urging 
his steed up the steep trail to where he had seen Young 
leave his horse, but on arriving there found it gone. 
Then scanning closely, he caught a glimpse of Young 
further up the mountainside, and could just make out 
that he was carrying someone, and knew it must be 
Ruby. 

Realizing his own helplessness to intercept the kid¬ 
naper, he was in despair and said aloud, “I wish I had 
killed him when I had the chance, but I must find 


SETTING A TRAP 


173 


Lundgren. Oh, he told me to not let him get out of 
my sight. He will never forgive me!” 

He guided his horse down the grade until he came 
to a short-cut running diagonally until it intercepted 
the trail which would be taken by Lundgren, Jim and 
Kelly on their way to the canyon, where the capture 
was expected to be made. Once in this cut-off, he 
urged his horse to his utmost speed. 

He had not ridden far until he saw the three in a 
group riding hurriedly to the Long Valley Canyon. 
Joe saw that by leaving the beaten trail, and riding 
diagonally across the sagebrush, he could save much 
travel. With recklessness he began to lash the gray, 
and the faithful animal bounded forward in response 
to the urging with all speed, but even so, the boy 
soon found that he was in danger of losing out in 
his mad race. 

Waving his hat, he called loudly to the men, but 
seemed unable to attract their attention. Lundgren, 
riding in advance of the others, turned his head to 
speak to them, and by chance caught sight of Joe rid¬ 
ing as if for his life, still frantically waving his hat. 
He told his companions to go on, and he would stop to 
learn what Joe’s trouble was. Turning his horse quick¬ 
ly, he went to meet Joe, and found the gray almost 
ready to drop from exhaustion, while the boy was 
shaking as if from an ague chill. 

"Oh, Morton! Go to Ruby! Don’t stop for me to 
explain. Go, and I’ll follow as soon as I rest a little. 
His trail is plain; you’ll pick it up back there. Ride 
like hell!” 

Morton’s teeth came together with a snap, and the 
veins in his forehead stood out like whipcord. 


174 


BLACK ROCK RANCH 


“God, Almighty, help me now, as you never helped 
before. Why didn’t you strike him down when he laid 
hands on one of the purest creatures of earth?” 


XXV 


A Race for Life 

Slapping the horse with the reins, Lundgren said, 
“Now, Ginger, you have a chance to show the stuff you 
are made of.” And the horse seemed to understand 
as he obediently bounded forward until they came into 
the brush ground, when Lundgren held him in until 
they were out in the clear space where they could make 
better time. Soon they were in the trail, and he loosed 
the rein and told him to go. And how he did go as 
never before, and seemed to be enjoying it, but when 
the horse’s breath came heavily, the rider again 
checked his speed, realizing there might be hours of 
this hard travel yet ahead of them. 

He rode directly to the Garrett cottage and called 
out, but there was no response from within. He saw 
the great dog pulling restlessly at his chain, trying to 
loose himself from the tree to which he was tied. 
Hurrying to him, Lundgren loosed the leash and pat¬ 
ting the dog on the head, said, “You big fellow! They 
can’t get away from you. Go find her, go!” And 
Hector understood. 

Lundgren, still holding an end of the chain, swung 
himself into the saddle, and urged his horse to follow 
the dog’s lead. 

With his nose to the ground he must have scented 
trouble at the place where his mistress had been cap¬ 
tured, for he gave a savage growl and at the command 
175 


176 


BLACK ROCK RANCH 


to “go, find them,” it was with difficulty that the rider 
retained his hold on the long chain, as he held him to 
a pace that the horse could safely keep on the steep 
slope. 

The sun had sunk behind the mountaintops, and he 
realized that soon it would be so dark that he could not 
see far ahead. This thought impelled him to urge his 
steed to a greater speed, but soon he saw that it would 
be folly to exhaust the horse’s strength so early in 
the journey and must content himself with a much 
lessened and safer rate. 

After Young’s rejoicing that he had made, as he 
supposed, his get-away without discovery, he noticed 
that his captive had not yet regained consciousness, 
and he began to fear that the shock had resulted 
fatally and grew much alarmed. He turned aside into 
a small canyon where, there was a running stream, and 
lowering her to the ground, removed the handkerchief 
he had tied over her mouth, located the pulse, finding 
the heart still beating, though rather feebly. 

He dipped the handkerchief in the stream and bathed 
her face, which seemed to revive her somewhat, yet 
she did not fully regain consciousness. Taking a 
flask from his pocket, he forced some brandy between 
the girl’s lips, and before long she opened her eyes 
and staring wildly about inquired, “Where am I?” 
Then recognizing her abductor, the terror of it all 
came back to her. 

“Now, girl, there’s nothing going to hurt you if 
you’ll trust me.” 

Rallying all her strength, she raised herself to a sit¬ 
ting posture, and said defiantly, “Trust you! I did 
trust you once, when I called off the dog, and you 


A RACE FOR LIFE 


177 


promised then that you would never bother me again, 
and the only way you can gain my confidence now, is 
to let me go back home.” 

He faced her with the ultimatum, “There is one 
thing you can decide on now. You are going with me 
and we are going now, and you better not try any tricks 
and come along willingly. It’s going to be dark soon, 
and we will start. Will you come? 

“No!” she answered. 

Then he lifted her again to his horse and started 
for the summit. 

Just as they came back into the trail, his ear caught 
the sound of a horse's hoofs in the stony path just 
around the bend, and spurring his horse, he thought to 
get out of sight around the next curve, and slip away 
before the rider came in sight, but with all his urging, 
the big bay was not quite fast enough, for just before 
making the turn where he had hoped to dodge out of 
sight of the road, Lundgren came upon the scene. At 
the same time Ginger stumbled and sank to his knees 
unable to go further. Lundgren loosened his hold 
on the chain, and the dog when released was off like a 
flash. 

Young in his mad flight, looking back had not seen 
the dog, but seeing the horse fall, exclaimed exultantly, 
“Fooled again! He can’t help you.” And Ruby’s 
heart sank within her, when suddenly something hap¬ 
pened. 

A fierce growl and the dog, rearing on his hind feet, 
fastened his teeth in the flesh at the bay’s throat and 
could not be shaken from his hold even when the horse 
plunged in a desperate effort to free himself, and 
finally fell to the ground, hurling his riders with such 


178 


BLACK ROCK RANCH 

force that Lundgren thought they must be killed by 
the fall. At this the dog went to his mistress’ side and 
began licking her hand. Then he dashed to Young 
who lay prone upon the ground, and began tearing at 
his arm and shoulder, when Lundgren arrived on the 
scene just in time to save him from certain death. 
The prostrate horse made one effort to rise, but in 
doing so, rolled into a deep gulch. The dog obeyed the 
command of his master with reluctance, then lay flat 
on the ground with his head between his paws, keeping 
a close watch on his enemy. 

Lundgren tenderly lifted the head and shoulders 
of the unconscious girl, and noticed that one arm hung 
limp. Carrying her to a nearby spot where there were 
no stones, he adjusted her body to a more comfortable 
position. Moaning softly, she opened her eyes and 
looked up into the face of her lover. 

Smiling faintly, she said, “I knew you would 
come for me. Oh! My arm! It pains terribly.” 

“Yes, dear, I know, and I fear it is broken.” 

Tearing a sleeve from his khaki shirt, he made it 
into strips and bandaged the fracture, telling her they 
must get a physician as soon as possible. He then 
went over to Young, and found him writhing in pain. 

In answer to Lundgren’s inquiry as to his condition, 
he said irritably, “Can’t you see I am dying in agony?” 

“Dying, did you say? Nothing so good as that is 
likely to happen to you without I kill you, you skunk, 
as I ought to do.” 

Taking Young’s gun from the holster, he placed it 
in his own pocket, saying, “I am not going to kill 
you, but I am going to see you put in a safe place, 
where you can’t make war on women or shoot men 


A RACE FOR LIFE 


179 


from ambush. I am going to leave you and the dog 
here for a while, and I advise you to keep still right 
where you are, Hector won’t want to see you on the 
move just yet.” 

Turning to the dog Lundgren pointed to the man, 
saying, ‘‘Watch him, Hector, till I come back.” 

Then he carried Ruby back a few paces to the spot 
where the horse was still lying down, but in response 
to his master’s voice he quickly rose to his feet. 

Hearing the sound of hoof-beats, Lundgren peered 
through the semi-darkness, discerned a white horse, 
and knew Joe must be coming to his aid. When Joe 
drew near, he gasped out, “Oh, you caught them.” 

“Yes, Buddy, or rather Hector did. And now we 
must get them down to the ranch as quickly as possible. 
We will lash Young to the gray and try to get Ruby 
down with Ginger.” 

Young protested, “I will die before we get to the 
ranch, if I have to ride that horse.” 

“Come on,” urged Lundgren, “we will fasten you 
on till you can’t fall off, if you do.” 

They made him secure in the saddle, then Lundgren 
instructed the boy how to lift Ruby to him after he 
had taken his place on Ginger’s back. Taking the girl 
in his arms he started slowly down the trail with Joe 
escorting Young as they followed. 

Ruby was only half conscious during the tedious 
journey down the mountainside. When finally they 
came to the ranch house, Lundgren called to Mr. Hor¬ 
ton, who assisted him in dismounting with his precious 
burden, and at the door they were met by Mrs. Horton, 
who was shocked at the sight. Lundgren’s only ex¬ 
planation was, “Here’s a lady who has been injured.” 


180 


BLACK ROCK RANCH 


Leading the way to a bedroom, she hastily made 
ready for her to be placed upon the bed, when sud¬ 
denly she exclaimed, “Why, it’s Ruby! What in the 
world has happened ?” 

“I haven’t time to explain now, Mrs. Horton, I 
must hurry to call a doctor. I will be back in a half 
hour and am leaving her in your care.” And he 
was off in haste to the garage and soon out on the 
highway speeding toward the nearest town. 

Fortunately the physician was found in his office, 
and soon ready to leave with Lundgren for the ranch. 
When they arrived, the injured grl had just regained 
consciousness. Hurrying to her bedside, Lundgren 
bent over her to ask how she was feeling. 

“Oh, Morton, my arm hurts terribly. And there’s 
such a pain in my left side. But oh, I am so thankful 
to be out of his clutches.” 

The doctor came to her and at this moment Lund¬ 
gren, hearing Jim’s voice calling to him, went hurriedly 
outside where there seemed to be quite a commotion, 
and inquired, “What’s the news, Jim?” 

“Couldn’t be better. See what we got here. They 
walked right into the net. We had a little gun-play; 
had to wing one or two. Got a scratch, myself, but 
nothing serious,” and he pointed to his arm in a sling. 

Lundgren recognized the voice of Wilson as he 
called out, “Here, sheriff, hold my horse till I go 
and find Lundgren.” And at his approach, he con¬ 
tinued,“Well, we got all eight of ’em. That old gun 
of mine didn’t miss. Just luck too. I hit a horse. 
Bullet went right through his brain and the rider went 
right on over his head. This is the fellow. Want an 
introduction to him?” And Lundgren instantly 


A RACE FOR LIFE 


181 


recognized one of the men he had discharged soon after 
taking charge of the ranch. 

“See that fellow with both arms tied up? He’s the 
one that went after Jim. But say, Jim is the quickest 
gunman I ever saw. He got that guy through both 
arms and right from the hip, just as fast as he could 
work his trigger-finger.” 

“Well, boys,” said Lundgren, “you have sure done 
good work. We have accomplished what we set out 
to do, but we came near sacrificing the life of a dear 
little girl. Sheriff, if you will wait a short time, I 
will turn over to you the ring leader, Young, who was 
trying to escape with the girl who lived at Hunter’s.” 

“Red's?” asked the officer in surprise. “We have 
Red in our bunch, too. He was guarding one of the 
roads.” 

Just at this time Joe came slowly up to the group 
with his charge, and Lundgren hurriedly asked the 
officer to take Young in charge, and have the physician 
attend him as soon as he came from the bedside of the 
wounded girl. 

When he had finished the diagnosis, Dr. Miller 
called Lundgren aside and said, “The young lady is 
suffering from a compound fracture of the forearm, 
and there is no physician near to call in to assist me. 
Also, I fear internal injuries.” 

Lundgren’s brow knitted in deep thought for an 
instant, then he asked, “Could she stand a trip to the 
city in my car, arranged so that she can recline?” 

“I do not see that that would have any bad effect. 
As her heart is in good condition, although she is 
suffering from nervous shock. I think she may safely 
undertake the trip. I will give her a quieting powder, 


182 BLACK ROCK RANCH 

so that she may rest for a good part of the night, 
s/t least.” 

Morton then went in to consult Ruby, and found her 
a little more comfortable, and acquainted her with his 
plans to remove her to a hospital. She smiled into his 
face as she said, “You know best. I will do whatever 
you say.” 

He then went to find Mrs. Horton, and asked her if 
she could arrange to accompany them on the trip, and 
as she readily consented to do so, he returned to in¬ 
form Ruby that it was all settled that they should leave. 

Stepping outside, he called Jim, Kelly and Joe to go 
with him to the office, informing them that he would 
leave the ranch in a half-hour, and wished to give 
them some instructions as to certain duties he desired 
them to attend to during his absence. The first was 
that one of them should go at once to inform Mr. 
Garrett as to Ruby’s whereabouts. “And, also, Jim, I 
want you to care for Hector, who has this day rend¬ 
ered me the greatest service. And Joe, will yon 
go to Ginger and rub him down and blanket him?” 

They told him his every wish would be granted, 
and Kelly volunteered to start immediately for the 
Garrett home. 

Soon, with the use of the extra seats and a small 
mattress, a comfortable bed was arranged and the 
sufferer was carried out and tenderly lifted to the car, 
Mrs. Horton carefully arranging the pillows about her. 
The necessary canteens were placed in the rack, the 
driver took his place at the wheel and the car glided 
out into the night, then suddenly seemed changed to a 
huge monster, ready to devour anything that tried to 
obstruct its path. 


XXVI 


The Night Ride 

One unfamiliar with the highway leading from 
Sierra Valley to Fairview, would be unable to 
appreciate fully the enormity of the task of driv¬ 
ing a car at high speed on a dark night. Long, 
winding trails, with an occasional steep incline 
into a narrow gorge, then up a rocky slope with 
huge overhanging boulders on either side, some¬ 
times the way so narrow that there was barely 
room for a car to pass but always on, on, leading 
on. Perhaps a steep grade was encountered when 
least expected, then a narrow pass, with towering 
cliffs on one side and a yawning abyss on the 
other, where one slight turn of the wheel in the 
wrong direction might hurl one to sudden 
destruction. 

This was the kind of road over which Morton 
Lundgren steered his car with its precious load 
in record-breaking time. Mrs. Horton knew the 
physician in charge of Fairview Hospital and in¬ 
duced Lundgren to take the patient to that place. 

Dr. Maris had just given final instructions to 
his nurses and was hurrying down the hospital 
steps when he noticed a high-powered car, gray 
with desert dust, turning into the driveway at an 
unusual rate of speed. The applied brakes brought 
it to a stop and a voice called out, “Dr. Maris, 
183 


184 


BLACK ROCK RANCH 


we are wanting to see you. We have a patient 
for you.” Hastening toward the machine he ex¬ 
claimed, “Why, Mrs. Horton, I am surprised to 
see you here, but surely glad to meet you again.” 

Then Lundgren stepped from the car and the 
physician’s quick eye noticed that he had taken 
hold of the side of the car for support, appearing 
faint, “What’s the trouble here?” he inquired as 
he grasped Lundgren’s arm to support him. “Just 
a little dizziness, doctor, is all,” was the reply; 
but the physician, noting the drawn face and hag¬ 
gard features, bade him sit down for a few 
minutes, and hurrying into the building, sum¬ 
moned two attendants, who came out bearing a 
stretcher, while he followed with a stimulant for 
Lundgren, saying, “Drink this, and you will be 
feeling better soon.” 

Mrs. Horton explained the cause of the near 
collapse, and the doctor exclaimed, “Impossible, 
woman! You can’t mean that he made that drive 
in seven hours and thirty minutes? Why, it took 
me fourteen hours’ running time to cover that last 
Fall on my vacation trip. But we must attend to 
our injured lady.” 

Ruby was still quiet, having slept during the 
greater part of the time on the road; only once 
had Mrs. Horton occasion to administer the pre¬ 
scription given her at starting. 

After a thorough examination, Dr. Maris an¬ 
nounced to Lundgren that the broken bones 
would be set at nine-thirty, and assured him that 
the patient should have the very best care the 
place afforded, then said, “Now I am prescribing, 


THE NIGHT RIDE 


185 


as your physician, that you come with me, and I 
will show you to a room where you must rest, 
and if I need you, I will have you called.” 

“I reckon you-all are right,” was the reply, 
“lead on.” 

His room was in the west wing of the building 
with adjoining bath, and after a warm plunge he 
lay in almost complete exhaustion on a downy 
bed, and the early morning sea-breezes were 
wafted through the open windows. Falling into 
a sound sleep he had not awakened until three 
o’clock in the afternoon, at the sound of the 
doctor’s voice calling his name. 

He rose with a start, asking, “How is she?” 

“Fine,” was the reassuring reply. “Resting 
very comfortably. I do not anticipate any trouble 
from the arm, other than the usual discomfort 
during the healing process. I find nothing to 
indicate internal injuries, except it be a slight 
sprain in the left side. Here comes a lunch I had 
ordered for you, and after you have eaten you 
may go in to see the patient if you promise to 
make your call very short, for she must have 
absolute quiet for a time.” 

When Lundgren entered the room, he stood 
speechless for a few seconds. Ruby lay in the 
snow-white bed, her face almost as white as the 
linen covering, the violet eyes looking straight 
into his own, while her dark tresses lay in 
ringlets upon the pillow. 

The nurse had placed on a small table near 
her a slender vase with a single rose of rarest 
colorings and exquisite beauty, and upon this 


186 


BLACK ROCK RANCH 


she had been feasting her eyes. As her lover 
stood as one in a trance, she lifted a hand and in 
a feeble voice said, “Oh, Morton, won’t you come 
near? I have been looking for you and knew you 
would come. Tell me how I came to be in this 
lovely room. I can’t seem to remember. Won’t 
you tell me, dear?” 

Bending over the bed he kissed her tenderly 
and said, “You are in Fairview Hospital. Don’t 
you remember you broke your arm in a fall and 
we brought you here to Dr. Maris. Now you can 
rest and I will be near and can come to see my 
darling every day, and soon as you are able I will 
tell you all about our trip, but for the present, you 
must not talk, just rest. The doctor tells me you 
will soon be able to be up and when you are 
strong, we will go to see some of the wonderful 
things in this part of the state. Now I must 
leave you with this good nurse, but I will come 
again tomorrow and stay just as long as the 
doctor will allow me.” 

As he was leaving the building, Dr. Maris gave 
him permission to call on the morrow at a fixed 
time, then he went to his car and drove directly 
to the Fairview National Bank, arriving there 
just as the doors were closing, but gained admit¬ 
tance because of special business with Mr. Winter- 
ton, whom he found busily engrossed in attaching 
his signature to a number of papers. He did not 
recognize his caller when he first entered. 

“Why, Mr. Lundgren,” he exclaimed in hearty 
greeting. “I wasn’t expecting to see you, but 
you’re the man I most wanted to see.” 


THE NIGHT RIDE 


187 


“I reckon you-all were not expecting me. We 
had a little accident at the ranch, and a lady had 
her arm badly broken and I brought her here for 
medical attention.” 

Just at this instant a passing newsboy was 
crying out, “Evening papers; all about the cap¬ 
ture of cattle thieves at Black Rock Ranch.” 

“What’s that?” asked Mr. Winterton, as he 
hurried to the door and called for a paper. Glar¬ 
ing headlines announced, “Capture of cattle 
thieves in Sierra Valley.” Then in smaller type, 
he read, “A posse led by Morton Lundgren, of 
the Black Rock Ranch, captured a band of out¬ 
laws while in the act of rustling cattle.” 

Mr. Winterton, in great excitement, turning to 
Morton, said, as he pointed to the article, “Per¬ 
haps you can explain this.” 

Taking the paper from Mr. Winterton’s hand, 
he read a few lines, then remarked calmly, “the 
papers always exaggerate a good deal. I was 
going to tell you that we had caught the men 
who had been giving you so much trouble, and 
that your foreman was the leader of the gang. 
But I tell you, Mr. Winterton, I must have some 
rest and will later go into details of the ranch 
happenings. I left Black Rock at eleven-thirty 
last night, and got in here at seven this morn¬ 
ing, and I am just about ‘all in,’ but will soon 
be able to give you a full report after I’ve had a 
little sleep. I see Mr. Hammond is not in. I had 
thought of running out to their place.” 

“They will surely be glad to have you. Mr. 
Hammond left the bank just before you came in. 


188 


BLACK ROCK RANCH 


He has a brother from the East visiting him, and 
they went away together. Did I understand you 
to say you made that trip in seven and a half 
hours ?” 

“Yes, I was very anxious to get this lady in the 
care of a competent physician.” 

“I see,” said Mr. Winterton, “I was going to 
ask you about the accident and who she is, but I 
must let you go now, for I see you need rest 
badly and we can talk over everything later.” 

As Lundgren rose to go toward the door he 
said, “Oh, yes, Mrs. Horton came with me, and 
of course she will want to see you, and I will 
be in again soon.” 

It was not long until Morton entered the drive¬ 
way leading to the Hammond residence, which 
seemed more like home to him than any he had 
seen in many months, and he mounted the front 
steps feeling sure of a welcome. 

His ring at the door brought Mrs. Hammond 
hurriedly from the kitchen. 

“Hello, Mother! You-all weren’t expecting me, 
were you?” 

Looking intently into his face for an instant, 
she then threw up her hands. “Morton Lund¬ 
gren! Of all the surprises, this is the greatest 
and best. Come right in, I am so glad to see 
you!” And Morton grasped the outstretched 
hand in both of his. “What has happened, are 
you ill? You look so dreadfully pale,” she in¬ 
quired with earnest solicitation. 

“I am not sick, only very much fatigued, and 


THE NIGHT RIDE 


189 


if you will allow me to rest a while, I will ex¬ 
plain everything later.” 

“Sure! Come with me, and I will show you 
to your room, the same you had before. But 
won’t you have something to eat before you lie 
down?” 

“No, thank you, Mother Hammond, except it 
be a glass of milk, if I may trouble you.” 

“Oh, surely! You just stay right there and 
I’ll bring it to you.” 

Soon she returned with the milk and a generous 
slice of apple pie. 

“Thank you, Mother, I fear I can’t refuse that 
tempting pie.” 

“Now, my boy, I’ll leave you to rest, and try 
to keep the house quiet.” 

“No need of that,” said Lundgren, “for I think 
I can sleep through anything tonight.” 

Soon after this Mrs. Hammond heard a car 
turn into the driveway and saw it was her hus¬ 
band, with his brother and Charles. 

The son was the first to enter the house, and 
hurried to ask whose car was standing outside. 
“Don’t be noisy, Charles. I think I’ll make you 
guess. The owner is someone whom you admire 
very much.” 

“I’ll make the guess in a minute, Mother,” he 
replied as he ran down the steps to the car and 
read the name on the license plate. Rushing 
back into the house he inquired anxiously, “Where 
is he, Mother? I just must see him at once; I 
can’t wait to get my hands on that fellow.” 


190 


BLACK ROCK RANCH 


“What’s all the excitement?” inquired Mr. 
Hammond as he and his brother came in. 

“Why, Dad, Lundgren is here!” 

The mother interrupted with, “Wait, son, and 
let me explain. Morton drove in here just a little 
while ago, and he looked so terribly bad I thought 
he was sick, but he said he only needed sleep and 
rest, and would explain later; so I showed him 
to his room and told him I wouldn’t allow him 
to be disturbed.” 

“Why, that seems strange for him. He seemed 
so full of life when we saw him last.” And turn¬ 
ing to his brother, Mr. Hammond said, “This is 
Lundgren, the fellow that has discovered Ruby 
Rossi, and sent you the locket with her mother’s 
picture. I am so glad you were able to recognize 
her as Mrs. Rossi.” 

“Yes,” was the reply, “it was a face I could 
never forget. I should have a wire in a day or 
two, as to how matters are proceeding.” 

“Mother, hasn’t the evening paper come yet? 
If you won’t allow me to see Morton, I’ll have 
to read.” 

Shortly afterward he stepped outside and 
brought the paper from the porch and glanced 
over the front page headlines. Handing it to his 
father he said excitedly, “Read that, Dad, and 
you’ll have an idea why Lundgren is all in. He 
had been leading a posse after some cattle thieves, 
and according to this he got them, and if he 
hadn’t, I can tell you, he’d still be on their trail.” 

“Well, well!” exclaimed Mr. Hammond. “Do 
you know, Charlie, I have my suspicions that’s 


THE NIGHT RIDE 


191 


why he took that job up there, to have an oppor¬ 
tunity to get those fellows that had been taking 
Winterton’s cattle, and, as you say, it seems from 
this report that he was successful.” 

Of course, the main topic of conversation in 
the household that evening was Lundgren and his 
achievements, while Charles added to the interest 
by recounting still other deeds of valor performed 
by him during their service overseas together. 

For a while before the time came to retire, all 
sat in meditation, when Mrs. Hammond remarked, 
“And how strange it all seems that he, too, 
should be the one to locate the little girl, Ruby.” 

“You speak of her as a little girl, Mother,” 
said her husband, “but you must remember she is 
a grown woman now.” 


XXVII 


A Lovely Patient 

On the next morning after the unexpected 
arrival of the guest, Charles awoke quite early, 
dressed hurriedly, and went directly to Lund- 
gren’s room, and quietly opened the door to see 
if he was still sleeping. He could not resist an 
inquiry, and in a low tone asked, “Morton, are 
you awake?” 

Immediately Lundgren turned his face toward 
the speaker, and said, “Well, Buddy! I just 
woke, and I’m feeling fine, but I was just about 
past going last night when I got here. How are 
you, Buddy? I would hardly have recognized 
you. Ranch work and Mother’s cooking have 
sure made a man of you. And how’s the girl, 
Helen?” 

“Oh, just fine,” replied Charles, “and as sweet 
as ever. We are to be married at Christmas 
time. We postponed our marriage this spring, 
you know, because of her mother’s ill health.” 

“Well, Charlie, if that’s the case, I reckon I’ll 
beat you-all, for I expect to be married soon, 
probably in about a week.” 

“Why, Morton, you must be joking! Surely 
you can’t mean it. I can’t believe it!” exclaimed 
Charles. 


192 


A LOVELY PATIENT 


193 


“On the contrary,” he replied, “I was never 
more serious in my life, Buddy.” 

“Well, who is she? And where is she, and tell 
me all about it,” demanded Charles impulsively. 

“She is Miss Ruby Rossi, the girl for whom 
your uncle had been searching—your father told 
us her story at the time of my first visit here. 
I have found her, and I intend to keep her. She 
is now at the Fairview Hospital suffering from a 
fractured arm, which she received in a fall from 
a horse. And say, Buddy, I am very anxious 
for you-all to meet her. She is as pure and 
innocent as a babe. She hasn’t seen much of the 
world as we have, but she has had a hard life, 
with few pleasures. Everything and everybody 
loves her. At times she reminds me of a faun, 
and again of a wild rose.” 

“I surely will be glad to meet her, and no doubt 
she and Helen will be good friends. But say, 
what about that report in last night’s paper about 
you capturing a band of cattle thieves? Now, old 
top, give an account of yourself.” 

“Well,” answered Lundgren, hesitatingly, “I 
reckon we got them all right, but the paper got it 
mixed. It was a friend of mine that led that 
posse. But I think I better be getting out of bed, 
now, and make myself presentable to meet the 
family.” 

As he leisurely made ready to go down to the 
living-room, the two talked reminiscently of their 
acquaintance during camp life and of overseas 
experiences, and when they heard the call to 
breakfast felt they had only begun their visit 


194 


BLACK ROCK RANCH 


together. As they came into the lower hallway 
they were met by Mr. Hammond and his brother. 

“Well, well, Mr. Lundgren,” exclaimed his host, 
as he grasped his hand, “how are you this morn¬ 
ing? Mother tells me you were almost tired out 
last night, but seems to me you are looking quite 
yourself now. I want you to meet my brother. 

“I am indeed glad to meet you, Mr. Lundgren, 

I have heard the family here speak of you so 
often that I almost feel I have been acquainted 
with you for some time. And I believe it is you 
who found the girl we had been looking for so 
long. I expect to take a trip up into that coun¬ 
try to secure an affidavit from those people to the 
effect that she is really the child we believe her 
to be. If I can get their sworn statement on 
that, and see the young lady herself, I feel quite 
sure matters can be adjusted without further 
trouble and in a short time.” 

A second breakfast call came from the dining¬ 
room at this time, and was answered by Charles 
with “Coming, Mother!” 

“I will say, Mr. Hammond,” said Lundgren, 
“that you will be able to see Miss Ruby in a few 
days, as she is now in the hospital here, for treat¬ 
ment for injuries received in an accident.” 

As they entered the dining-room, Mrs. Ham¬ 
mond exclaimed, as she extended her hand, “Why, 
Morton, you are certainly looking fine this morn¬ 
ing. I had hard work to keep this Charlie boy 
from rushing in and disturbing you last evening.” 

“I am feeling good as new, now,” was the reply. 

Of course all were eager to hear a full account 


A LOVELY PATIENT 


195 


of the recent capture of the cattle raiders, and he 
modestly described the methods employed, giving 
Jim and Kelly all the credit as having been re¬ 
sponsible for the success of the affair. 

After all had finished breakfast, Charles an¬ 
nounced that he had an appointment with a neigh¬ 
bor, and asked Lundgren if he would like to 
accompany him on the drive, but he begged to be 
excused as he very much desired a private confer¬ 
ence with Mrs. Hammond, if she would grant 
him the privilege. In this she readily acquiesced, 
saying, “Certainly. You must go into the library, 
and I will join you in a few minutes.” 

Soon the two were seated and Lundgren began 
with an explanation of his request for the inter¬ 
view. 

“I may surprise you, Mrs. Hammond, when I 
tell you that I am planning to be married soon 
as the young lady is able to leave the hospital. 
I mean Miss Ruby Rossi, whom I brought to 
Fairview yesterday. I was just wondering, Mrs. 
Hammond, if you would be willing for the mar¬ 
riage to take place here in your home?” 

“Why, Morton!” she exclaimed in reply. “I 
am sure nothing would give me greater pleasure, 
and I should love to give you a real wedding 
dinner, and I am very anxious to meet the bride- 
to-be. Do you think I can go soon to call on 
her?” 

“I would judge, from what Dr. Maris tells me, 
that in a very few days she will be able to see 
visitors. Perhaps you would like to hear all 
about her, and of how our acquaintance began,” 


196 


BLACK ROCK RANCH 


and he proceeded to relate in detail the circum¬ 
stances leading up to their first meeting, and on 
up to their arrival at Fairview Hospital. 

When he had finished the narrative, Mrs. 
Hammond, in motherly tones, exclaimed, “My 
dear boy! No wonder you were so nearly ex¬ 
hausted last night, and few could have endured 
what you have undergone. It is a wonder the 
dear girl is alive after such a nerve-racking expe¬ 
rience, even if there had been no bones broken. 
Just as soon as she is able to be moved I want 
her brought to our home. I think I’ll call up the 
hospital now, and find out how she is!” 

In answer to her inquiry the head nurse assured 
her the patient was doing splendidly, having 
rested well during the most of the night and gave 
promise of a very satisfactory recovery. Returning 
to the library she reported the cheering news to 
Lundgren and begged him to find out definitely 
if possible, just how soon she could leave the 
hospital. He promising her to inquire of Dr. 
Maris, that very day as to the probable time. 

As he prepared to leave, Lundgren thanked his 
hostess most heartily for her interest in him, also 
promising to return at a not far distant date. 

Driving directly to the hospital, he was met in 
the corridor by Dr. Maris, who announced in a 
cheery voice, “I have just come from the young 
lady’s room, and find her doing wonderfully. I 
think I have never, in all my practice, seen anyone 
recover from a shock as she. She seems to 
possess lots of vitality, and I can account for it 


A LOVELY PATIENT 


197 


only that she has lived a perfectly natural life, 
near to nature’s heart, as it were.” 

Lundgren then asked, “How soon, in your 
opinion, can she be moved in safety to the Ham¬ 
mond home?” 

“To Hammond the banker’s? Are you a friend 
of his?” An affirmative answer, then he con¬ 
tinued, “A fine man, and a beautiful wife, both in 
appearance and in her life. I would say that if 
Miss Rossi continues to improve as she has in 
the last twelve hours, that we might give her 
over into Mrs. Hammond’s care within four or 
five days. But I must be hurrying on now. You 
may stay with her an hour this morning, if you 
wish,” and bidding a hasty good-by, he hurried 
away. 

It was with a very thankful heart that Lund¬ 
gren advanced toward the invalid’s room, and 
on entering, was met with a smile of welcome, 
while a pair of bright eyes beamed with pleasure. 
“Doctor tells me my Wild Rose is improving so 
fast that in a few days we may take her to the 
home of some dear friends of mine, a beautiful 
home overlooking the town from the foothills. 
Then shortly after, we will be married if you 
are willing. 

“I am willing, Morton, whenever you think 
best.” 

Then for the remainder of his stay with his 
fiancee he told her of the places of interest he had 
wished they might visit; and together they for¬ 
mulated plans for the wedding and an extended 
honeymoon trip over the state. 


XXVIII 


Ruby Comes Into Her Own 

Ruby continued to make the most satisfactory 
improvement, and was able to leave the hospital 
at the expiration of the period predicted by her 
physician, and at once became a favorite in the 
Hammond home. At the end of a week they were 
quietly married in the presence of a few of the 
most intimate friends of the family. One evening 
the happy pair, having taken a little stroll beyond 
the residence, were seated on a grassy knoll to 
watch the lights come on, one by one, over the 
town, when Ruby spoke, “Morton, it seems to 
me I have seen Mr. Hammond’s brother some¬ 
where, but still it can’t be. I must have seen 
someone very much like him that he reminds 
me of.” 

Her husband did not reply at once, but seemed 
to be weighing his words before starting, as he 
looked tenderly into her face, “Sweetheart, I 
have been intending to tell you an interesting 
story when I felt the proper time had come, and 
I have decided to tell you now.” 

“You have seen Mr. Hammond before! He is 
the man who held you on his knee on a cold 
winter’s night, when you were a small girl, and 
your father had asked for the privilege of coming 
198 


RUBY COMES INTO HER OWN 199 


into his home with your mother and yourself to 
get warm by the fireside.” 

He then repeated what he had heard of the 
circumstances on his first visit in the Hammond 
home, of his having remembered the name Ruby 
and that he had asked Mr. Garrett to tell him all 
he knew of her childhood. How he had asked 
him too, in regard to the locket containing her 
mother’s picture and that they had sent it to 
Mr. Hammond who at once recognized it as being 
her mother. That now it was settled beyond a 
doubt, that she was the Ruby Rossi for whom 
they had been searching these many years that 
she might come into possession of a large estate 
of which she was the sole and rightful heir. When 
he had finished speaking, he saw that his bride 
was weeping. 

“Have I taken the wrong time to tell my Wild 
Rose of her past? Why these tears?” 

“Oh, Morton, dear, these are not tears of sor¬ 
row, but of joy. I know, now, who I am, that 
my parents were respectable, and you will never 
have occasion to regret your marrying me, at 
least from that source. I am so happy now, and 
can fully enjoy our honeymoon trip.” Her face 
shone as she spoke and Morton thought he had 
never seen her quite so lovely as her eyes looked 
straight into his. 

He asked, “Do you think, dearie, that you will 
be strong enough in another week to start on a 
little tour of the Southland? I have some busi¬ 
ness with Mr. Winterton that I must look after. 
I am going to resign my position at the ranch and 


200 


BLACK ROCK RANCH 


I want my old true and tried boyhood chum, Jim, 
to have the place, so I’ll recommend him for 
that work. Besides, I had a letter from the Val¬ 
ley today, notifying me that I have been appointed 
guardian for Joe, and I will look over the schools 
and select one for him. His education has been 
so long neglected that we must see that he has 
the very best advantages now to fit him for his 
life work.” 

“Morton, I know I have the best, the bravest 
and most unselfish husband that ever lived, and 
how I long to be worthy of your love and all that 
you have done to brighten my life. But I think 
that we should go down now, for they may be 
waiting for us.” 

And arm in arm they went slowly, thoughtfully 
along the path to the house, where they found 
the family gathered for the evening hours together 
in the spacious living-room. Charles had brought 
Helen for the evening, and music, both vocal and 
instrumental, was an added charm to the program 
of the closing day, so filled with happiness for all. 


XXIX 


The Honeymoon 

The weeks that followed were filled with joy 
and pleasure for the happy pair, as they motored 
from place to place taking in the many wonders 
and interesting things so new to them. It was 
the last week of the time set for the trip, when 
one morning as they were seated on the terrace 
overlooking San Diego Bay, a messenger boy 
rode up to them and handed Lundgren a tele¬ 
gram. Hastily tearing open the envelope he read 
aloud: 

“Mr. Garrett failing fast. Dr. says may go 

at any time. Jim.” 

Ruby took the message from his hand and 
looked steadily at the words for an instant, seem¬ 
ingly unable to grasp their meaning fully, then 
exclaimed, “Oh, Morton, I believe I could never 
bear it if dear old Uncle should not live until 
I see him again. Can’t we start at once? He 
has been a father to me.” And she burst into a 
flood of grief. 

“There now, dearie,” said her husband sooth¬ 
ingly, as he lead her toward their hotel, “we 
shall be ready in half an hour. We can easily 
drive to La Vere today, stopping over there for 
201 


202 


BLACK ROCK RANCH 


a night’s rest and then by tomorrow evening we 
will be with Uncle Garrett.” 

The scenic beauty of their drive northward beg¬ 
gars description. Miles and miles of boulevard 
running parallel to the ocean front, from whence 
one occasionally gets an unobstructed view of 
great ocean liners carrying their precious burden 
of human lives, plowing their way through the 
billowy deep. Also the smaller vessels tugging 
their way slowly along the shore line. As Ruby 
watched she seemed almost bewildered by the 
grandeur of it all, and feasted her eyes upon the 
scene spread out before them. After a while she 
looked up into the face of her husband and said, 
“It is all wonderful, and very beautiful, Morton, 
yet to me not nearly so grand as the old Sentinels 
keeping watch over our valley—the Masterpiece 
of the Deity—as I have heard you say. This is 
the comparison I would make. The ocean seems 
so strong and powerful as though it could tear 
us to pieces while our towering peaks want only 
to shield and protect us. Do you have that same 
impression, dear?” 

“Yes, very much. When the waves are run¬ 
ning high, I have something of the feeling expe¬ 
rienced in the Argonne, but when I am surrounded 
by the sheltering mountain peaks I feel more the 
protection of my mother, when as a tiny lad she 
held me in her arms, and told me how she wanted 
me to grow up to be a big, strong, brave man not 
afraid of ridicule, when I knew I was doing right.” 

“And,” asked Ruby, “do you think she knows 
you have made of yourself the man she wished 


THE HONEYMOON 


203 


you to be? Uncle Garry would think she does.” 

“Well, now, you-all are getting too deep for 
me, but sometimes I have felt she was very near. 
Here we are now, leaving old ocean for the 
inland. Take a long look and say goodby for it 
will be our last view, and then we will turn our 
faces toward Sierra Valley.” 

When finally the snow-capped Range came into 
view, Ruby clapped her hands in delight. “Oh, 
Morton, don’t they look good? And we will soon 
be there. This would be the very happiest day 
of my life if I only knew that Uncle was all right.” 

“Let us hope for the best, my dear,” was the 
rejoinder. “Let’s not borrow any trouble, but if 
trouble conies we must meet it with a brave 
heart.” 

Late in the afternoon, as they drove up to the 
Black Rock Ranch, they were greeted by a loud 
joyous bark, and before the car had hardly come 
to a stop, Hector bounded into the seat, and ex¬ 
pressed his delight by licking the hand of each 
in turn. Ruby, with tears in her eyes, threw her 
arms lovingly around the big fellow as she said, 
“My companion and protector.” Then they saw 
Jim, smiling broadly, hurrying toward them. 

Taking a hand of each in friendly greeting, he 
said, “It seems mighty good to see you back 
again, and I surely wish for you all the happi¬ 
ness that can come to anyone.” 

Lundgren expressed his pleasure at being again 
in the Valley, and inquired anxiously after the 
sick man. 

“Well,” replied Jim, “Mr. Garrett doesn’t seem 


204 


BLACK ROCK RANCH 


to get much better. One day he will rally some, 
and then, perhaps, the next day grow weaker 
than before. Mrs. Horton has been with him the 
most of the time since she came home, and we 
have done all for his comfort that it has been 
possible to do. Joe has gone over there now to 
see how he is, and will be back soon, so you two 
come in and rest until he gets here and I will 
have the Chink get you something to eat.” 

After a hasty meal, they started for the car 
when Joe met them. His face was serious, yet 
he smiled as he said, “Oh, I’m glad you are back, 
and I don’t think you came any too soon. I 
just came from Mr. Garrett’s and Mrs. Horton 
thinks he can’t live very much longer. He is 
getting weaker and she was wishing you were 
here, for he has been asking for Ruby all day.” 

“Oh, Morton,” said Ruby, “let’s go there as 
soon as we can.” 

They hurried into the machine and Morton for 
the second time pressed his car to the limit for 
speed. No sooner had they stopped at the cot¬ 
tage door than Ruby was on the ground, and rush¬ 
ing inside, knelt at the bedside of the old man, 
looking into the wasted face, but clear eyes of the 
one who had been as a father to her. 

Extending a feeble hand, he said exultantly, 
“Oh, my wild flower has come back to me, and 
I am so glad, for now I can go home in peace of 
mind.” 

“Oh, Uncle,” sobbed the girl, “you must not 
leave me. I can’t let you go, now. It will break 


THE HONEYMOON 


205 


my heart for you to go away now. I want you 
to stay and share my happiness.” 

“Now, honey, don’t talk that way. I want 
to go. I want to see Mary, and I want to rest. 
I am so tired, so tired. And child, you don’t 
need me now. You have a good, kind husband 
who will take care of you. It is God’s will that 
I go, and I am all ready. Where is Morton? 
I want to talk to both of you while I am strong 
enough.” 

“Here I am, Uncle,” said Lundgren, who had 
been standing aside during the conversation be¬ 
tween the two. “I am very sorry that we delayed 
our coming. If only we had known that you were 
so ill, we would surely have been here sooner.” 

“Why, my boy, you have come soon enough. 
They wanted to send you the word a week ago, 
but I wouldn’t consent to it, until yesterday. 
Now, I don’t want you to grieve for me, for I 
shall be very happy to go home. I want you to 
lay me out yonder beside Mary. Ruby, I am 
leaving all I have of this world’s goods to you. 
You will find the papers all made out and properly 
signed. Some five years ago, I struck a pocket 
of ore. It is in a strong box under the floor 
beneath my bed, Morton. I have never needed 
it for myself, so I was saving it for Ruby when 
she should need it most. Now she doesn’t need 
it, for herself, but can use it in whatever way you 
think best, and may God bless and keep you both. 
Now, I feel like I can sleep.” 

Ruby sat on the side of the bed, arranged the 
covering, and tenderly stroked the silken white 


206 


BLACK ROCK RANCH 


locks while tears rained down her face. Her hus¬ 
band brought a chair, sat beside her, and taking 
one of her hands in his spoke soothingly, "My 
little wife must be brave, and not allow this to 
overtax her strength,” and together thus, they 
sat for two or three hours, listening to the 
labored breathing of the sufferer, when finally 
he awoke, looked toward them, and Lundgren 
knew that the end was near. 

When he spoke, his voice was so feeble that 
they had to lean close to catch the words. 

"My violin, Ruby child, my favorite.” 

Tremblingly she obeyed asking herself, "How 
can I? Yet I must grant his request,” and as 
she drew the bow across the instrument the sweet 
strains of "Nearer, My God, to Thee,” came 
floating gently to the ear of the dying man, and 
a smile came upon his face, lingering there until 
she had almost finished the hymn, when he 
stretched his arms heavenward and called, "Yes, 
Mary. I am coming. Ruby, don’t you see her? 
She is beckoning to me,” and with a radiant face 
he sank back into the pillow and lay very still. 

Morton called Mrs. Horton, and other attend¬ 
ants who were in waiting, then tenderly led his 
weeping bride from the room. Two days later 
another sacred mound was made in the clearing, 
and with filial devotion, the two carried out every 
request made by the aged man in his last hours 
as they watched beside him. 

Lundgren had persuaded Ruby to return to the 
ranch that she might the sooner overcome her 
grief at the loss of her benefactor. As they were 


THE HONEYMOON 


207 


leaving the cottage, she threw her arms around 
Morton’s neck and sobbed out, “How could I 
ever have borne this great sorrow without my 
dear, dear husband?” 

As they neared the ranch, they saw Jim stand¬ 
ing beside Lundgren’s saddle horse, while Joe 
was holding by the rein another sorrel almost the 
exact counterpart of Ginger, who threw up his 
head in recognition of his beloved master when 
he heard him call his name. 

Hector had been barking with delight and be¬ 
gan circling around the car as soon as it had come 
to a full stop. 

“Well,” said Morton, “they all seem right glad 
to have us back again, but what have we here?” 

“Oh,” replied Jim. “This is a horse that Kelly 
happened to see the other day, and he looks so 
much like Ginger that us fellows thought they 
ought to go together so we decided to get him 
for a wedding present for the madam.” 

“Oh, Jim!” exclaimed Ruby. “How can I ever 
express my thanks. Nothing could have pleased 
me more. I have always wanted a riding-horse 
all my very own. What a delightful time Morton 
and I will have galloping over the Valley on 
Ginger and Faithful. That is to be his name, for 
you boys have surely been loyal and faithful to 
Morton and this ranch.” 

Taking the horse’s rein, she fondly petted him 
and was delighted when he seemed to reciprocate 
her affection at once, by rubbing his head against 
her shoulder. 

Turning to her husband, she said, “Morton, 


208 


BLACK ROCK RANCH 


let’s take a little ride to try them out together.” 

Soon they were riding away down the highway, 
when turning into a trail, rode to the top of one 
of the foothills. The dog had followed closely, 
expressing his appreciation of the privilege, by 
barking joyfully as he ran along first on one side 
of the horses then on the other. 

Dismounting, they stood at the horses’ heads 
with Hector lying at their feet, head resting on 
his forepaws as if on guard. In silence they 
reverently drank in the beauty of the panoramic 
view, the everchanging colorings brought out by 
the hand of the Master Painter, as the orb of 
day in matchless splendor sank from their sight 
behind His Masterpiece. 


THE END 


































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